National Fit as a Fiddle Project

Sporting Equals have been appointed as a national partner with Age UK to deliver its National Fit as a Fiddle programme which aims to help empower people to live more healthy, active and fulfilling lives, and their aim is to increase awareness of health and well being benefits to males/females that are over the age of 50 within ethnic minorities.

The programme will be delivered through volunteers who will be given a fully funded training programme over a two-day period. The project will involve free training delivered by Sporting Equals to community based organisations and volunteers to enable them to work with BME older people to become fit and active.

If you think your organisation would like to be involved please contact Lorna Babb, Project Officer, Phone: 0121 325 5470
or visit their website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/fit-as-a-fiddle/fit-as-a-fiddle-in-the-regions/

Expert Patient Programme from 8th Sept until 13th Oct 2011

15 places available

The Expert Patient Programme builds on the principal that people with long-term health problems already know best how their condition affects the way they feel, their lifestyle and their ability to accomplish activities important to them. The course explores ways to positively manage their symptoms, to improve on daily activities and manage the changing emotions that can be brought about by a chronic condition.

This course is open to anyone with a long term condition such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, COPD, coronary heart disease, arthritis or any long term condition. If you feel the time is right to learn new life skills to help you cope better in your day to day living and gain confidence in managing your condition then this course is for you.

This is a free course and runs for six weeks from Thursday 8th September until Thursday 13th October. Each weekly session lasts for two and half hours, running from 2.00 pm to 4.30pm.  This course will take place at Reading’s International Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London Street, Reading, UK, RG1 4PS.

Weekly sessions cover topics such as managing symptoms, relaxation techniques, diet and exercise, how to communicate effectively with health care practitioners and how to deal with some of the difficult emotions of fear and frustration. The atmosphere is very informal and supportive which enables people to relax and get to know each other.  The venues are checked to ensure they are accessible for wheelchair use.  Family carers of those on the course are welcome to link up with the course tutors, although they will not attend the sessions themselves.

There are 15 places available on the September course so if you are interested in joining the course you need to apply before Thursday 18th August to Lesley Wyman on 0118 982 2885, email: lesley.wyman@berkshire.nhs.uk.

Early-Bird booking form for Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers Conference in Birmingham on 21 Sept 2011

Save upto £40 when you book before 8th July
call the Office Manager at RCV on 01926 485446

The Personalisation Agenda: A panacea for welfare reform?
Overcoming the challenges facing providers and practitioners

Whilst the concepts surrounding Personalisation aren’t new,
applying the principles to practice has created some unexpected
challenges for practitioners. Figuring out how services fit within a
developing marketplace and reconfiguring operational activity so as
to provide a menu of choice is confusing. RCV’s conference aims
to provide delegates with the lessons learned.
Hear from providers and practitioners who have successfully
navigated the maze and are happy to share their experiences, be
they good or bad.
Who should attend:
. Self funders
. Social Workers and Care Managers
. Social Care professionals
. Chief Executives
. Self Care and Personalisation Leads
. Long Term Conditions Leads
. Self-Directed Support Teams
. Direct Payments Teams
. Independent Living Teams
. Individual Budget Teams
. Home Care Providers
. Adult Protection Teams
. HR and Workforce Development
. Transformation Teams
. Directors of Nursing
. Practice Managers
. PALs
. LINKS
. Specialist Nurses for Long Term Conditions
. Medical Practitioners
. PCT personnel
. Case Managers
. Personal Injury Specialists
. Allied health professionals
. Direct Payments personnel
. Carers
. Other service providers

Free bursaries
To ensure our event is accessible to
RCV Members, unwaged family and/or carers, there are up to
five free places available. Apply by post or email
stating why you would like to attend.

Promotional opportunities
For more information about promotional
opportunities at this conference, such as
exhibiting and including your promotional materials
in the conference delegate packs, please contact the
Office Manager at RCV on 01926 485446
For further information about RCV, please visit
www.rcv.org.uk

East Reading Festival 2011 - Six days of Fun

East Reading Festival will take place over six days from Thursday 30 June to Tuesday 5 July 2011. The family fun day will take place on Sunday 3 July from 12pm - 4pm in Palmer Park.
For details of the events please visit: http://www.reading.gov.uk/General.asp?id=SX9452-A7841610

Maternity Services Liaison Committee

A team dedicated to improving your maternity care, Maternity Services Liaison Committee have been involved in:
. Improving and developing services to promote Normal Birth
. Developing the maternity DVD
. Raising money for the Royal Berkshire Hospital's Stork fund.

The Maternity Services Liaison Committee holds quarterly meetings. Members discuss a wide range of Maternity issues and make suggestions for improvements. You can be involved if you are a parent in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire areas. Mums and dads are welcome.

For further information or for comments, please contact westberksmaternity@live.co.uk

Reading LINk Drop-In Sessions -starting 6th July 2011

Reading LINk will be holding informal drop-in sessions at Reading Voluntary Action Volunteer Centre on a fortnightly basis.

We will provide information about LINk and the work that we do, and welcome feedback from people about their experiences of local health and social care services. We will be inviting guests to provide information about their services.

We will be starting on July 6th at 10am -12pm and are pleased to have a Health Trainer with us who will be able to offer advice about healthy eating and exercise.

The next event will be held on 20th July 10am -1pm. This event will be open to all who would like to come in and have a chat with the LINk team.

On 3rd August we will have Michele Le Sueur, the Volunteer Centre Manager who will be offering advice to those who have special issues or support needs but would like to do voluntary work.

If you are interested in these events or would like to offer your services for question and answer sessions please contact Merlyn Barrett LINk development worker on: 01189 584849 or email Merlyn.barrett@rva.org.uk

Equally Healthy - An Event to Make the NHS Work Well for Everyone - 14 July 2011

Come and speak directly to NHS organisations in Berkshire about how they can deliver
‘Equally Healthy’ accessible services for all. Speakers and workshops will explain how the new NHS Equality Delivery System will be
used in the ambulance service, mental health and community health services,
commissioning bodies and hospitals to ensure:
.Patient care and access to services is improved
. A better understanding of treatment to improve the patient experience
. Staff feel safe, valued and treated equally
. Patients are treated with dignity and respect
. Leadership on equality
Are your circumstances sometimes ignored?
Can you contribute to building a better experience?
As a voluntary or community group you can support your clients by expressing key requirements be these cultural, religious or relating to disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, family circumstances or health.

To book your free place please contact Anna Fowler on 0118 958 4849, anna.fowler@rva.org.uk or visit www.rvadirectory.org.uk/eventreg/20110714/equally-healthy---make-the-nhs-work-well-for-every
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements in advance. Venue fully accessible. BSL interpretation is available on request.
Thursday 14th July 2011 10:00 - 14:00 The Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH

2011 Carers Week: The True Face of Caring

Diary dates for you to note:

Monday 13 June 10.00am to 3.00pm - Carers events information.
Main Entrance Royal Berkshire Hospital


Mon 13th June - Afternoon Cream Tea (Carers UK members only) at Boswells at 2.00pm.
To book,call Barrie Randall on 0118 983 2607 or email banda.burghfield@hotmail.co

Tuesday 14th June 10.00am to 4.00pm - Carer Services & Jobcentre Plus
Pop along to the Jobcentre Plus van in Broad Street Mall for a chat and information about local services for Carers and specialist support for carers provided by Jobcentre Plus, including getting back to work.

Wednesday 15th June 10.00am to 4.00pm - Carers Connecting
Your questions and stories - Trunkwell Mansion House, Beech Hill, Reading.
FREE TRANSPORT FOR CARERS FROM READING STATION. To book, call Princess Royal Trust on 0118 9607030 by 9.00am on 3rd June 2011

Wednesday 15th June - Afternoon Cream Tea (Carers UK members only) in Twyford at 2.00pm. To book, call Barrie Randall on 0118 983 2607 or email banda.burghfield@hotmail.co

Thursday 16 June 11.00am - 2.00pm - Information Fair and Carers Network Event. Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Reading, RG1 7AE Stalls from Mencap, Berkshire West NHS, Crossroads, Age UK, Parent Partnership, Princess Royal Trust, and Reading Borough Council

Thursday 16 June 11.00am to 12.00am - Age Concern, Reading - Special Carers week pop in for people 50+ - The Kennet Room, Civic Offices, Reading RG1 7AE

Thursday 16 June 10:30am - Carers UK and Reading Crossroads Memory Walk.
A gentle walk guided by Barrie Randall starting from the Broad Street Mall. For more information , call Barrie on 0118 983 2607 or email banda.burghfield@hotmail.co.uk

Thursday 16 June - Reading Young Carers present "The Many Faces of Young Carers"
an exhibition of art by young carers at Fairview Youth Centre, George Street RG1 7RR from 4.00 to 6.00 pm with BBQ. For more information call 0118 937 4003

Friday 17th June at 10.30am - Free showing of "Water for Elephants" at 10.30am.
VUE Cinema in the Oracle. Booking is essential. Call 0118 937 2383 to confirm your place

NHS Reforms "Listening Exercise" - How to get involved

The Government have launched a "Listening Exercise" to help improve their plans for modernisation of health service by listening to the views of patients, professionals and the public.
Find out how you can get involved by visiting http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/listening-exercise-how-to-get-involved/ .

Surgical Services for Children with Congenital Heart Conditions - Public Consultation

The NHS is carrying out a national consultation on proposals to focus the surgical expertise in heart conditions into larger, but fewer centres in England.
In the NHS South Central area there were two trusts providing paediatric cardiac services up until February last year, when the Oxford Radcliffe suspended their service.
Southampton General Hospital provides this service now. Currently, Southampton is included in one of the four options for the number and location of children's cardiac services for the future, but not included in the three other proposals.
These proposals will not be finalised until people have had their chance to respond and say what they think the best way forward is.
The consultation will run until 1st July 2011. You can have your say by filling in the online questionnaire at www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/safeandsustainable or tel 020 7025 7520 for a paper copy.

Reading LINk would be keen to hear any comments you may have on these proposals.

March - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The Prostate Cancer Charity will be launching its new Testing Choices campaign in Parliament on 30th March and we need your help telling MPs about it.
The Testing Choices campaign calls on politicians to do more to improve Men's awareness and understanding of prostate cancer risk and testing.

Take action now!
You can take action now by contacting your MP <http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/home.aspx?cid=858908b7-9db5-4707-bba1-8c61a9d7d0f7> and asking them to support the campaign and to do more to improve men's awareness and understanding of prostate cancer risk and testing.

Please visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/dayofaction <file:///\\tpcc\dfs\charity\Operations\Policy%20&%20Campaigns\Campaigning\Campaigns\PCAM\2011\Recruitment%20and%20Publicity\www.prostate-cancer.org.uk\dayofaction> for more information about the campaign.

Public Consultation on eligibility threshold for Adult Social Care in Reading

Reading Borough Council provides adult social care services to adults who need support to stay well and independent. Support is also offered to family members and friends who provide unpaid or informal care. The council is considering making some changes to how it provides these services and are seeking views from local people.

The changes being considered include a reduction in the eligibility threshold for services from the council from ‘moderate' to only providing services directly to those whose needs are assessed as 'critical' or 'substantial'. The Council is also proposing altering its charging policy.

Should the proposal to change eligibility criteria be accepted, the Council would stop providing assistance with things like shopping and housework for those whose needs were not so great, and would support people to find other sources of help with these.

Reading LINk will be responding to this consultation and invite you to feed into the response. You are invited to come along to one of the following sessions, to hear more about the proposed changes and to give your views:

• Wednesday 19th January 2011 – 10.30am – 12md at South Street Arts Centre, South Street, Reading

• Tuesday 8th February 2011 – 2.30pm – 4pm at Main Hall, RISC, 35-39 London Street, Reading

Please confirm your attendance by replying to this e-mail or call the LINk Office on 0118 9584849.


RBC will also be present at the following public meetings and forums to discuss the proposed changes in more detail:

Reading Carers Steering Group on 26 January 2011 from 2pm to 4pm at the Civic Centre.
Reading Older People's Partnership open meeting on 1 February 2011 from 10.30am to 12.45pm.
Learning Disability Carers Forum on 16 February 2011 from 11am to 1pm at the Civic Centre.

The Consultation deadline is the 27 February 2011.

For more information and to obtain a response form visit the council’s website by clicking here: http://www.reading.gov.uk/adultsocialcareconsultation