Real Food Courses

Have you got clients who'd like to learn how to make low-cost, easy, healthy meals? If so, Real Food Wythenshawe are running two 5 week courses for people to do just that! They start in a couple of weeks at:

Royal Oak Community Centre
Monday 7th September, 1-3pm

Benchill Community Centre
Wednesday 9th September, 1-3pm

Anyone wanting to book a space should contact Pam on pamela.moran@wchg.org.uk / 0161 946 9167

August Forum Notes

So we've had the final Forum meeting (for now...you will be given the opportunity to take over!) There was a great presentation by Ryan Bradshaw from Stephensons Solicitors, and Sheena Taylor also came from DWP to give an update - mostly PIP-related, but managed to cover some other topics too! The notes are linked below, as are a copy of Ryan's presentation and further information from Sheena. I also have a few spare hard copies of Ryan's presentation - please contact me if you'd like one.

If anyone would like to volunteer to host a meeting around mid-October, please get in touch and I can help you get the ball rolling...!

Notes
Presentation

From Sheena
PIP Guide
PIP Components
PIP Update
PIP Support Worker Guide

Exciting Event - European Citizenship & Social Rights Open Forum

The Institute for Social Policy, Oxford are holding an event on 8th September to investigate the lived experiences of EU migrants in Manchester, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, housing and welfare benefits.

The event will run from 2-4:30 at Manchester Art Gallery, and will be an opportunity to gather some information about social rights in Europe and take part in a general discussion about your experiences of working with EU migrants.

For more information about the event, a flier can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPSnBfWUVDNmlSYnM/view?usp=sharing

And you can book by completing this registration form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPNGZLVEpRYTRtRzA/view?usp=sharing

Volunteer Opportunity

Motor Neurone Disease Association are currently recruiting for volunteers; please see below for info:

The Motor Nerurone Disease Association is running a pilot Welfare Benefits Project across Greater Manchester from October 2015 – April 2016. The aim of the project is to ensure people with MND and their carers claim the right benefits and and are able to access specialist advice. We are looking to recruit a team of volunteer Benefit Navigators to work with us on this project.

Benefits Navigator – Role Description

The role

 

Benefit Navigators will help people with motor neurone disease (MND) to complete claim forms for Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Navigators will receive comprehensive training covering MND and also how claim forms should be completed to ensure the right amount of benefit is awarded. This role is particularly important because the devastating effects of MND can include losing the ability to walk, write and speak, making dealing with benefit claims very difficult. Navigators will not be expected to understand the entire benefits system, give advice or do calculations – they will signpost to a specialist service to support people beyond initial claims.

Navigators will:

·         Attend 2 training days – one providing information about MND and one covering how claim forms should be completed

·         Visit people with MND at home to complete a claim form for PIP or Attendance Allowance
·       Have a willingness to take time to fully understand the difficulties experienced by a person with MND and carefully record this information on a claim form – this may take an hour or longer depending on possible communication difficulties
·         Be prepared to travel across Greater Manchester to undertake visits – these can be scheduled around other commitments
·         Complete induction and training for the role and attend regular support and information exchange meetings with MND Association staff.
·         Refer people with MND to our specialist benefits advice service to ensure all entitlements have been claimed and be supported to appeal incorrect decisions

Skills and interests sought:

 ·         Good communication skills, a patient and empathetic approach and ability to discuss intimate personal care issues with sensitivity

·         An interest in welfare benefits and a commitment to making the claim process as stress-free as possible for people with MND
·         A commitment to equality and diversity and a willingness to work with members of all communities
·         Knowledge of MND or a willingness to learn about the disease

How much time will you need to give?

The time commitment given will be entirely up to each individual Navigator. This is a new project and we are uncertain about the level of demand for the service but we anticipate a minimum of 8 hours a month will be required.  

How will the MND Association support you?

·         You will receive relevant training to undertake the role

·         You will be provided with one-to-one and group based support and be able to speak to the Project Manager if you have any questions or concerns

·         You will be reimbursed all agreed out-of-pocket expenses, including travel

Benefits of being a Navigator

o   You will have an opportunity to learn more about motor neurone disease and use this knowledge to support people living with the condition

o   This is an opportunity to learn more about benefits for people with MND and other disabled people

o   You will join our wonderful  team of volunteers and meet new people

o   You will have a brilliant opportunity to enhance your CV and develop your skills

o   You can learn  more about how national charities such as the MND Association operate

If you would like more information or an informal discussion about this role please contact Laurie Clemenceau:

laurie.clemenceau@mndassociation.org

01604  611686

 

New Vacancy at Citizens Advice Manchester

Citizens Advice Manchester are recruiting for a Full Time Telephone & Digital Triage Assessor, full time, for 35 hours per week, working from their Contact Centre in the City Centre. 

They are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to join their team of telephone & digital triage assessors.  If you can demonstrate: -

* A professional manner and good communication skills 
* An ability to gather and assess information quickly and accurately
* An ability to learn quickly and to work under pressure
* An ability to deal confidently and sensitively with members of the public as part of the frontline service. 
* A commitment to equal opportunity for all

They can offer:-

* A salary of  £19,048 per annum 
* 26 days annual leave per annum (plus bank holidays)
* Health Plan with integrated Employee Assistance Programme

Application packs can be requested via email at hr@manchestercab.org
or by telephoning Jo-Anne Sharkey on 0161 672 0527

Closing date for applications:  5pm on Thursday 6 August 2015
Interviews will be held:   Week commencing 10 August 2015  

June's Forum Notes

Apologies for the delay but the notes from June's forum meeting are now available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPVWtZdjZSQWc4YzQ/view?usp=sharing

We've also got the slides from the Pension Wise team's presentation to share with you; they can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPdk9iMTVjU3NuQlU/view?usp=sharing

It was a really great session, with fantastic presentations from both the Pension Wise team and Mike at Choices Community Trust on work clubs - thanks also to Barlow Moor Community Association for pitching in with your valuable experience, and to everyone else for some really worthwhile contributions.

Also documented here is the reminder that August will be the last forum facilitated by the MAA team. We're delighted to hear that there's enthusiasm for other organisations taking up a bit of responsibility for meeting organisation so the group can continue, as we can see from the feedback forms you fill in that they've been really useful for you.

Please don't miss out on the next meeting, as it would be great to see as many faces as possible at the last session....it's also going to be really valuable, with a session from Stephenson's Solicitors on Discrimination in the Welfare Benefits System, and Chris Hulse will also be attending. And, if all else fails, lunch is provided! Click here to book your space now - August 11th, 1.30-5pm at Friends Meeting House

It's the Final Forum!!

....And if you're not singing Europe's 'The Final Countdown' now...well, you're probably more sensible than us!

Anyway, the time for the last of our scheduled forums has come, and we're going out with a bang - we have a session on Discrimination in the Welfare Benefits System, followed by Chris Hulse from DWP, and all our regular agenda items. Throw in plenty of time to network, lunch and some homemade baked goodies and you're onto a winner...

So make sure you sign up quick here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maa-august-forum-tickets-17617218575

We'll look forward to seeing you there!