Author Archives: Maureen

Charities can ease the burden on healthcare

Organisations close to their communities can often respond to needs in a more targeted way, find solutions and co-ordinate services

 

Mayfair Community Centre co-ordinates a package of support and care based within the community for people with long-term conditions.

The drive to open up public services to competition has proved controversial, nowhere more so than in the NHS. Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, wrote to David Cameron earlier this year raising concerns that public sector monopolies could be replaced by “private-sector oligopolies”. Large private sector providers are cornering new markets in public services at the expense of charities and other smaller community-focused organisations. Bubb argued that contracts are too often focused on cost savings rather than “engagement, collaboration and social value”.

The benefits of learning social care the digital way

The challenge for organisations looking to harness the power of digital technology is to balance the flexibility of portable devices against ensuring the delivery of high quality learning

Paul Clarke

Guardian Professional

 

The explosion in the number of laptops, smartphones and tablets means employers can offer their workers much more flexible ways of acquiring skills and knowledge.

The only certainty in adult social care is the way we operate will constantly change – which increasingly includes the way learning and development opportunities are delivered.

The explosion in the number of laptops, smartphones and tablets means employers can offer their workers much more flexible ways of acquiring skills and knowledge that will help them get better at what they do.

Carer writes to PM: Carers are being treated like second class citizens

Ex-Nunney woman writes to David Cameron: Carers are being treated like second class citizens

By Somerset Standard  |  Posted: March 20, 2014

 

Bryony Brook, second right, her husband Elliott and daughters Phoebe and Amber with Mayor Belinda Donovan at the launch of the Goaloids sculpture on Shepherds Bush Green

A FORMER Nunney woman has written to Prime Minster David Cameron in disgust at her treatment since her husband died suddenly over Christmas.

Mother-of-two Bryony Brook, who now lives in Bruton, cared for her husband Elliot for six years after he suffered a stroke in 2007 aged just 37.

Mr Brook, an artist and photographer, died suddenly on Christmas Eve 2013 of pancreatitis.

Since then Mrs Brook said she has had no support from the Government after being refused bereavement and widows’ payment, the mobility car she relied on was taken away and all her other benefits stopped.