Tag Archives: carer

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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Norwich young carers on the Broads

October 15, 2012   Carers, learning difficulties, Norfolk

By stephen pullinger broads correspondent
Monday, October 15, 2012
8:42 AM

Taking part in fun activities on the Broads has been a rite of passage for generations of youngsters growing up in Norfolk.

Young carers at How Hill

Young carers at How Hill

However, for one group of eight to 13 year olds visiting How Hill, near Ludham, on Saturday, a boat trip and adventure on the marshes were far removed from their everyday lives.

For the children are all members of Norwich Young Carers and take on responsibilities beyond their years in helping to look after sick or disabled parents or siblings.

For Georgina Mason, 11, it meant a day off from helping her mother, Lisa, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a disabled scooter; for Joshua O’Toole, nine, it meant a break from supporting his disabled father, Mark who has to use sticks to walk; for Sophie Peach, 10, it meant a day away from helping to care for her 12-year-old brother, Sammy, who has learning difficulties.

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Keeping Abreast’s Norwich awareness day at Chapelfield

October 15, 2012   Cancer, Norfolk

Monday, October 15, 2012
11:27 AM

A Norfolk breast cancer charity will be offering shoppers advice and raising awareness about the work it does at a city shopping centre this week.

On Friday, October 19, staff and volunteers from Norfolk-based charity, Keeping Abreast, will be at Chapelfield Shopping Centre all day to help raise awareness of the work they do with women throughout the UK with breast cancer.

Visitors to their trademark bright pink stand will have the opportunity to meet with patients who have been through or are currently battling breast cancer, and have had or are about to undergo surgery, and talk to them about their experiences.

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