Author Archives: wendy

Norman Lamb writes: Time to change

October 17, 2012   Carers, mental health

Time to Change and end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems 

Over the next few weeks’ telly-watching you may see adverts encouraging people to talk about mental health. For those of you that can’t wait, you can watch them online here. These adverts are part of the Time to Change campaign, England’s biggest ever attempt to end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems. This is a brilliant campaign. I remember speaking at its launch back in 2008. In the time since then, it has made a real difference.

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Pamper day for carers

October 17, 2012   Carers

Carers are appreciated

CARERS' EVENT ... from left, Maria Laben, Pat High and Sheila Stephenson.CARERS’ EVENT … from left, Maria Laben, Pat High and Sheila Stephenson.

Published on Tuesday 16 October 2012 10:00

A CHARITY’S headquarters was turned into a mini-health spa to give people, who spend their time caring for others, a treat.

Age UK South Tyneside in Beach Road, South Shields, opened its doors to 15 carers who were given the star treatment.

The event, organised as part of South Tyneside’s Older People’s Festival, was aimed at showing how much those who look after others are appreciated.

During the day carers were treated to lunch, courtesy of The Red Hut chippy in Ocean Road, South Shields, as well as spa sessions, which included a free hand massage and mini manicure from volunteer Jean Turnbull and beautician Julie Murtha.

John Briers, chief executive of Age UK South Tyneside, said: “All of our events aim to raise awareness of the exciting opportunities available to over 50s to promote independence and increase social inclusion.

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Why digital exclusion is a social care issue

October 16, 2012   Carers, disability, mental health, Older care

As our society becomes increasingly digitalised, figures reveal a large proportion of those not online have a disability or are elderly

 

A large proportion of those not online are elderly.

Next year the welfare system will undergo an overhaul as universal credit is introduced. The benefit, replacing six others, includes a new requirement to apply for benefits online. With millions of people having never used the internet, however, it raises the question of how those not online will manage.

Universal credit is just one example of how, as our society becomes increasingly digitalised, those who are not online are at risk of becoming excluded. And it’s not just a case of people opting not to be online.

This year there were 3.91 million disabled adults who had never used the internet, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. This is just under half of the 7.82 million adults who had never used the internet. Ian Lyons, from the Shaw Trust, which supports disabled and disadvantaged people live more independently, says many websites are not accessible for people with a disability.

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