Word Version - Disability Action in Islington

Islington Disability Network News
What’s been happening and what’s coming up
Welcome to the latest edition of the Islington Disability Network News.
We know these are hard times for disabled people in Islington and across the
country but despite this disabled people are joining together to make a real
difference and to challenge many of the proposals to further restrict benefits
and services.
This newsletter focuses on some of the successes and we would encourage you
to get involved where you can. DAII is currently working with local disabled
people to find out what campaigns they would like to be involved with and
how we can support people to get involved.
So, if you are interested in finding out more about DAII’s work and links to local
and national campaigns please contact Andy Greene at DAII [email protected] or
phone 0207 354 8925. DAII also helps facilitate the work of Islington Disabled
People Against the Cuts (IDPAC).
IDPAC is a campaigning group set up by local disabled people to fight the
legislative changes and cuts the current Government is putting into effect.
IDPAC also links in with the national group Disabled People against the Cuts
(DPAC). Find out more by visiting www.dpac.uk.net.
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Disabled people have become a political force to be reckoned with......................... 3
says Sue Marsh in the Guardian on Tuesday 29th May 2012.....................................................3
Islington Disabled People lead the fight back with UK UnCut against the
government’s vicious austerity measures................................................................... 4
Campaign success on London Underground staffing................................................. 4
Victory for disabled people – Court of Appeal rules that human rights must be
factored into housing benefit. ..................................................................................... 5
Government ignores recommendations on PIP criteria ............................................. 6
The government has published a lukewarm response to Work and Pensions
Committee’s report on the reform of Disability Living Allowance to Personal
Independence Payment. .......................................................................................................................6
DLA reform and Personal Independence Payment..................................................... 7
Consultation on detailed design ........................................................................................................7
Fitness for work’ test under fire: GPs say assessment must be scrapped .................. 8
Disabled People challenge the government’s plans to close Remploy factories and
throw them out of work................................................................................................ 9
Right to Ride................................................................................................................ 10
Campaign sinks its teeth into Islington's loan sharks............................................... 11
Shape Diamonds ......................................................................................................... 12
Whitecross Street Festival involves one of the largest groups of disabled musicians
in the world ................................................................................................................. 12
Unlimited at Southbank Centre: 31 August – 9 September, 2012 – Celebrating
disability alongside the Olympics.............................................................................. 13
Whose Games, Whose City?........................................................................................ 13
Travel during the Olympics ........................................................................................ 14
Stuart Low Trust Friday Evening Social Events ......................................................... 14
Elfrida Pub Quiz .......................................................................................................... 15
Wednesday 4 July, from 6.30 for a prompt 7pm start ............................................................. 15
If you have any comments on any of the items from this month or if would like to have
something included in the next DAII Newsletter, please contact Liz Mercer at DAII:
By post: Disability Action in Islington (DAII),
90-92 Upper Street, London N1 0NP
By phone: 020 7354 8925
By email: [email protected]
We are aware that this is not the most attractive looking newsletter – unfortunately we
have no resources to improve it yet. However, we are looking into fund-raising this year!
Disclaimer: As well as information about our own services and campaigns, DAII passes on
information on services or events offered by other organisations/individuals. This does not
mean that we endorse or support the services, events or organisations/individuals
concerned. Readers are advised to check details for themselves and make their own
judgements.
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Disabled people have become a political force to be
reckoned with
says Sue Marsh in the Guardian on Tuesday 29th May 2012
Sue Marsh firmly believes that Liam Byrne the Labour spokesman for work and pensions
has spoken up as a direct result of disabled people becoming more organized and more
vocal. We share this view at DAII and urge you to get involved with us in campaigns and
actions – for more information on current activities, please contact Andy Greene at DAII
[email protected] or call 020 7354 8925. You can also contact your MP to tell them you want
to hear more from the Labour party about what they are doing to defend disabled
people’s rights. Contact Jeremy Corbyn [email protected] or Emily Thornberry
[email protected].
We reproduce the Guardian article below:
‘Earlier this month, Liam Byrne used the second of his Beveridge reports to speak
about disability. When was the last time you heard a politician discuss disability
without resorting to the language of condescension? Of judgment? Possibly even of
hate? In the reform of Disability living allowance, we are assured by the government
that cuts of 20% need to be made so the benefit targets those who "really need it".
The subtext is that many do not. Easy lies about "free cars and bungalows" hide
horrific details about profoundly disabled people considered able to "bathe" if they
can wash above the waist with a flannel, or paraplegics considered "fully mobile"
because they use their wheelchairs too well.
Assessments for employment and support allowance (previously incapacity benefit),
we are told, find the majority of claimants to be feckless scroungers, "trying it on". This
nicely avoids mentioning the national scandal of hundreds of thousands of people
found "fit for work" who have profound heart failure, those on transplant lists, those
receiving chemotherapy.
As if this wasn't sinister enough – horrifying even – for sick and disabled people, it was
a consensus shared by all three main political parties in the UK. With a slavering,
complicit media, eager to whip the inert public into a frenzy of hate, those of us with
serious illnesses or impairments were totally abandoned.
Add social care cuts, a decline in access-to-work schemes and the abolition of the
independent living fund, and we faced a future that was not just bleak, but
unsustainable. So Byrne's speech was significant. He promised to "talk to disabled
people up and down the country". He wanted to make "rights a reality" for sick and
disabled people. As a disability campaigner, I care that he broke the political
consensus. He talked about us as though we were human beings. He promised to
listen.
Did he do so out of a profound sense of right and wrong? Almost certainly not. He did
it because sick and disabled people have become organised, vocal and credible. He
did it because, politically, it started to make sense. But he did it. And perhaps, just
perhaps, the darkest days for our most vulnerable turned a corner.’
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Islington Disabled People lead the fight back with UK
UnCut against the government’s vicious austerity
measures
Hundreds of activists descended on Clegg's home in Putney on Saturday 26th May.
Disabled campaigners from Islington led the way by chaining their wheelchairs together
across the street.
A UK Uncut supporter, Jean Sandler, 42, said: "Nick Clegg is one of the architects of
austerity. He's a millionaire and lives in a million-pound home.”
The demonstration was one of 11 alternative street parties around the country
organised by UK Uncut in the lead-up to the jubilee celebrations and the Olympics later
in the summer.
Comedians, musicians, public-sector workers and activists are all taking part in the
events. In Sheffield, campaigners targeted Clegg's constituency office; in Manchester,
protesters highlighted corporate tax dodging; while in Nottingham campaigners
focused on the chancellor, George Osborne, dubbed the Sheriff of Nottingham after he
cut the top rate of tax and announced deeper welfare cuts in the budget.
Around 400 demonstrators occupied the street outside Clegg's house setting out
blankets on the floor and sharing food. Scores of uniformed and plainclothes police
officers watched as musicians performed and activists made speeches.
Commenting on the action, Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and
Commercial Services union, said:
"Our union is as one with UK Uncut activists in their fight against this government's
needless and politically-motivated cuts, and we applaud their innovative and
inspirational action that takes the campaign right to the doorsteps of those responsible.
"We would like to see more of this kind of community campaigning, linking up with
unions, arguing for the alternative to spending cuts, for investment to improve our
public services and to protect our communities from what this arrogant government is
trying to do."
Campaign success on London Underground staffing
Disabled people working with Transport for All have been campaigning tirelessly for the
past couple of years to secure then help they need when traveling on London
Underground – their direct action has paid off.
Disabled and older campaigners are celebrating the news of LU’s decision to hire 600
Customer Service Assistants (CSAs), following their cuts to 800 station staff last year.
Together with the 300 extra staff that London Underground hired in February this year,
the rehiring will do a great deal to ensure that older and disabled transport users are
able to travel with confidence.
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When the staff cuts on the Underground were announced more than a year ago,
Transport for All activists campaigned for their right to travel independently, with staff
assistance.
TfA received complaints from disabled passengers, especially blind people, who’d been
left stranded when they arrived at an unstaffed station. Mohammed Mohsanali has been
left without assistance regularly, and recently, when on the way back from Transport for
All’s Mayoral Hustings, he fell and was hurt when, in the absence of the member of staff
he’d booked to meet him off the train, he had to rely on a well-meaning but untrained
passenger.
A visible staff presence at stations make disabled and older people feel safer too. A
survey by Scope found that over the last two years, disabled people have reported a 50
percent increase in verbal abuse and intimidation on London’s public transport.
Uniformed staff are a more effective deterrent for disability hate crime than a hundred
CCTV cameras.
Victory for disabled people – Court of Appeal rules that
human rights must be factored into housing benefit.
Experts at Law Firm Irwin Mitchell have welcomed a landmark judgment handed down
at the Court of Appeal in May which they say sets out clear guidance to ensure that
disabled people are not discriminated against by the Government’s benefit system.
Three families challenged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) which
stated that local authorities could not provide housing benefit for extra bedrooms
needed by four young disabled people who were living in private rented
accommodation.
Public law experts at Irwin Mitchell, representing the lead case, said DWP breached the
British Human Rights law by not allowing their housing benefit claims to be treated
differently to those of non-disabled people, which would have given them the extra
provision needed. And their view was backed by the Court.
Polly Sweeney, Solicitor for Ian Burnip at Irwin Mitchell said, “This Judgment has
widespread implications for policy-making and is crucial to promoting equality for
disabled people and assisting them to live independently. Whenever the Government
introduces new policies, or reviews existing policies, they now face a duty to ensure that
appropriate provision is made for disabled people to ensure that discrimination does
not occur."
Specialists at the firm say the judgment will have a huge impact on discrimination in the
benefits system, and will ensure that the Government now ensures there is a appropriate
provision when considering disabled people’s needs.
In the lead case, Ian Burnip, represented by Irwin Mitchell, was told by Birmingham City
Council that he could not claim local housing allowance (LHA) to cover an extra
bedroom he needed for an overnight care worker.
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A second case involved Rebecca Trengove whose daughter Lucy, who has since sadly
passed away, was unable to secure the LHA she needed for an extra room for an
overnight care worker from Walsall Council.
During the course of the Appeal process, the local housing allowance rules on extra
bedrooms were changed by the Government and, since April 2011, extra LHA is now
given to disabled people who need a bedroom for an overnight care worker.
However, a third case heard by the Court of Appeal was not affected by the coalition’s
new rules. Richard Gorry, the father of two disabled children, one who has a physical
impairment and the other who has autism, wanted Wiltshire County Council to provide
enough LHA for his children to have separate bedrooms. But the new ruling will now
ensure that he is awarded a rate of housing benefit which reflects his daughters’
accepted needs to sleep in separate rooms and ensure that they can afford to live in
adequate and suitable housing.
Government ignores recommendations on PIP criteria
The government has published a lukewarm response to Work and Pensions
Committee’s report on the reform of Disability Living Allowance to Personal
Independence Payment.
In the June 2010 Budget, the Government announced its intention to reform DLA by
introducing a new assessment for eligibility which included a projected a 20% saving in
expenditure. As we know DLA will now be replaced by Personal Independence Payment
(PIP) in 2013. The Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry looked at the Government’s
policy objectives for PIP, considered the effectiveness of its consultation and examined
the quality if its impact assessments. It also considered the draft criteria for the new
assessment and how it will be administered. The Committee made recommendations
aimed at ensuring the new assessment is fair and accurate. The Committee’s Report was
published on 19th February 2012 and the government responded on 18th May 2012.
We reproduce below a summary from Inclusion London which shows clearly that the
government has ignored the bulk of the Committee’s recommendations:#
Qualifying Period
Committee’s recommendation: to give those with sudden onset conditions such as
stroke or traumatic injury immediate eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
the same as those with terminal illness.
Government response: The government has refused to give immediate eligibility to
those with sudden onset conditions. Instead the government pointed to the support
that the NHS already provides for in-patients and said that there is a range of meanstested and non-means-tested support in place for less acute out-patients.
Draft PIP Eligibility Criteria
Committee’s recommendation: that the government take into consideration factors
such as housing, access to public transport and hilly locations in the activity descriptors.
Government’s response: The government refused to take such factors into consideration
saying that it would create a more subjective and inconsistent assessment.
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Other government responses included:
Media coverage: The committee recommended that the government take steps to
ensure that information provided in the media is accurate and put in context. The
government response was to highlight that the disability strategy will aim to change
attitudes and behaviour.
Inclusion London comment: Government’s commitment to improve their portrayal of
disabled people in the media has to be seriously questioned as in a newspaper article,
printed only three days after the report was published, Ian Duncan Smith incorrectly
spoke about ‘abuse and fraud’ of the benefits system by disabled people. Also the
government has delayed the publication of the disability strategy to later this year.
Policy objectives: The government has previously announced its intention to save 20%
of the DLA/PIP budget. However, the committee pointed out that the 20% figure was
(incorrectly) based on growth of 29%. In reality growth is closer to 16 %, which takes into
account demographic change, also PIP only applies to those of working age. The
government responded by saying it will update the figure it intends to save from the
DLA/PIP budget, when benefit rates are announced and the design of PIP is more
advanced.
Communication and consultation: The committee expressed concern that the initial
consultation was only 10 weeks in length and over the Christmas period, while the
recommended period is 12 weeks. The government responded by saying they thought
10 weeks was adequate as it was limited to the general principles of reform.
Inclusion London comment: We do not agree. The basic principles of reform are the
most crucial area of consultation rather than the details of the reform, which while
important, cannot fundamentally change the reform.
The government’s full response is available here:
www.parliament.uk/documents/joint-committees/humanrights/IL_Government_Response
DLA reform and Personal Independence Payment
Consultation on detailed design
The Government is seeking disabled people’s views on proposals for some benefit rules
for Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and
Attendance Allowance.
In response to the proposals DAII organised a Consultation in early June where over 30
local disabled people contributed comments and feedback.
Key feedback related to the following proposals:
The Government is proposing a reduction in the benefit ‘linking’ period from 2 years to 1
year. The group recommended in order to ensure people are not disadvantaged
because they have fluctuating conditions or conditions that can lead to other health
complications that the linking period should stay at 2 years and it should relate to any
condition rather than a pre-existing condition. This relates to not having to serve
another 3 month waiting period if someone needs to reclaim benefit within a 2 year
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period. The group also suggested this could be easier and more cost effective for the
DWP to manage.
The group had grave concerns as to how the proposals would affect young disabled
people. They recommended that the DWP miss out the ‘invitation’ stage whereby they
propose to write asking someone to let them know if they want to claim PIP and instead
send the PIP form directly on the assumption that the vast majority of 16 year olds will
need to claim PIP. The group also felt that the DWP need to issue several reminders both
by letter and telephone and allow a number of months for the PIP claim form to be
returned. Many people particularly those on indefinite awards might be confused by the
need to complete a PIP claim and it may take some time for people to realise they need
to submit a new claim. Children and families should not be penalised by a change to the
rules.
The group was strongly opposed to the proposal to take forward the decision in the
Spending Review to limit the payment of the higher rate Mobility Component to 4
weeks to those who use their Mobility Component to lease a Motability vehicle – all
agreed the arrangements should stay as now - if the in-patient is leasing a vehicle
through the Motability Scheme, existing provisions allow for the continued payment of
the higher rate mobility component for the duration of the Motability lease contract
which could be up to three years.
Those who use their mobility component to lease a vehicle under the Motability Scheme
are often some of the most disabled members of our community who are completely
reliant on a car to maintain any kind of independence. They may also, as a result of
complex impairments, be more likely to find themselves in hospital for more than 4
weeks.
It appears particularly punitive to take away this lifeline from disabled people who will
then not only have to deal with their condition post hospitalisation, but will also be
housebound as they will have no access to a vehicle. Alongside this they will need to
reclaim benefit and need to renegotiate a Motability lease and wait for any adaptations
to be made to the vehicle.
All agreed that the far reaching damage to independence and health and well-being of
this proposal far outweighs any financial saving to the department and that the DWP
should seek to persuade colleagues to overturn the Spending Review decision.
The consultation is open until 30th June so you can add your own comments here:
www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012
Fitness for work’ test under fire: GPs say assessment must
be scrapped
GPs have piled new pressure on the government after unanimously calling for it to scrap
its controversial “fitness for work” tests.
The British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) annual conference of local medical
committees, which represent GPs, passed a motion this week calling for the work
capability assessment (WCA) to “end with immediate effect”.
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They agreed that the assessment – which tests eligibility for out-of-work disability
benefits – should be replaced with a “rigorous and safe system that does not
cause avoidable harm” to their patients.
The motion – which was also approved by Scottish GPs in March – says that the
computer-based assessments “have little regard to the nature or complexity of
the needs of long term sick and disabled persons”.
It was passed as the GP who submitted the motion to the conference of Scottish GPs, Dr
Stephen Carty, told Disability News Service how one of his patients had tried to kill
himself following a WCA.
Dr Carty, who is medical adviser to the user-led campaign group Black Triangle, is urging
the government to create a mechanism to allow doctors to report similar cases in which
a patient has been harmed as a result of the WCA process.
In the wake of this week’s vote, which means the motion is now official policy of the
BMA’s GPs committee, a BMA spokeswoman said: “We have said that the government
needs to look at it again and come up with a better solution.
There are signs too that the government is rattled by the GPs position. This week the
DWP finally disclosed that it has discussed the issue with the BMA. A DWP spokesman
told the Disability News Service (DNS): “Officials met the BMA recently and we are
aware some GPs would like a feedback mechanism. We will continue to work with
them.”
Disabled People challenge the government’s plans to
close Remploy factories and throw them out of work
The government announced in March that 36 of the factories, which provide sheltered
employment for 1,500 disabled people, would close by the autumn unless they were
taken over. But trade unions representing Remploy workers and many Disabled People’s
Organisations have launched a campaign to save the factories, arguing that disabled
people who work at the factories stand little chance of finding other jobs at a time of
high unemployment.
Inclusion London and many others signed a letter to the Guardian in May voicing their
opposition to the plans, we reproduce an extract below:
‘We believe the government’s decision to make 1,518 disabled workers unemployed
by August, and a further 1,282 unemployed next year, by closing the Remploy factories
is wrong. We do not believe these job losses constitute a victory for inclusion in the
workplace.
We have fought long and hard for an inclusive society where disabled people have the
same employment chances, choices, and opportunities as everyone else. Our goal and
demand for inclusive employment must not be used to justify job cuts that will push
these workers into poverty, exclusion, and isolation.
This decision will effectively put these disabled workers on the scrapheap at a time of
recession when there is little to no hope of finding alternative employment, when
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eligibility for benefits is being slashed, and when support services for disabled people
are being destroyed. Of the Remploy workers made redundant through the first round
of factory closures in 2008 only 6% went on to find alternative employment.
We call for true equality and inclusion through:
• The development of a plan of investment and support to transform the Remploy
factories into viable social enterprises controlled by disabled employees rather
than their closure.
• Investment to increase and expand the Access to Work scheme so that it genuinely
meets the needs of both disabled volunteers and workers. This extra funding must
not come from the cuts to Remploy jobs.
• Investment in high-quality employment support services that enable disabled
people to find employment and stay in employment—not the free labour
workfare schemes currently provided.
• The right to inclusive education and accessible training and apprenticeships for all
disabled people that will increase our chances of gaining and retaining meaningful
employment.
• Commitment to tackle discrimination in the workplace through better
understanding and enforcement of Equality Act duties.’
You can read the full version of the letter at www.inclusionlondon.co.uk.
The government has now reviewed their plans and offered Employers who take over any
of the 36 state-owned Remploy factories facing closure a short-term subsidy of up to a
third of the wages of the units' disabled workers.
The £10m concession has been announced by ministers in an attempt to firm up bids for
the factories, which have been declared unviable in their existing forms. The deadline for
submission of business plans has been extended.
The wage subsidy concession follows an earlier offer of funding worth up to £10,000 a
time for Remploy staff who may be developing plans to take over any part of the
business.
Read more about the campaign to save Remploy jobs here:
www.gmb.org.uk/gmb_campaigns/other_campaigns/remploy/remploy_latest_news
Right to Ride
By the time you read this newsletter Disabled People against the Cuts (DPAC) will have
carried out some direct action in partnership with Transport for All to highlight the
failings of the transport system for disabled users.
Disabled people say that the transport system won’t be fit for purpose in the future
when hundreds of thousands more people lose their benefits, and maybe also their right
to pass-ported services like motability cars, taxi-cards, blue badges etc and therefore are
forced to use public transport. They want to highlight how difficult it is for disabled
people to get to work using public transport and to show why DLA is still essential to
disabled people.
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To find out how they got on visit the Transport for All website www.transportforall.com
Or contact Andy Greene at DAII to find out about future planned activity [email protected]
or 020 7354 8925.
Campaign sinks its teeth into Islington's loan sharks
Residents in Islington are being invited to "shop a loan shark" in a new campaign to
stamp out the misery of illegal money-lending.
Loan sharks - who charge huge rates of interest on small loans to desperate people operate in Islington but many people are scared to speak out.
Now local people can give anonymous tips about loan sharks by calling the Illegal
Money-Lending Team on 0300 555 2222.
Cllr Catherine West, leader of Islington Council, said: "We're on the side of our residents
in these tough times when many are short of cash and tempted to turn to illegal money
lenders.
"Loan sharks prey on desperate people in need, and often use threats of violence to
scare people into paying back massive rates of interest.
"We're asking residents to turn the tables and "shop a shark" - and are offering advice
about how to avoid the sharks and alternatives to borrowing from them.
DAII is concerned that as the cuts bite against disabled people some people will feel so
desperate that they could turn to loan sharks – we urge you not to do this and if you are
approached by anyone to call the above number and report them. We also in
partnership with Camden CAB provide Debt Advice at our office – so if you do owe
money, don’t despair, get in touch and a debt adviser can help you. To book an
appointment phone 020 7226 0137 or email [email protected] or come to one of our
drop-in sessions on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 2pm -4pm and we can
book you an appointment.
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Shape Diamonds
Are you disabled and face barriers accessing cultural venues? Shape Diamonds is an
exciting programme of access supported group trips to exhibitions, performances,
concerts and more!
For more information on current events please email [email protected] or call
on 020 742 47348.
Shape Diamonds is enabling disabled people to participate fully in an exciting calendar
of arts and cultural events taking place in London including Diamonds Jubilee and
Cultural Olympiad events this year.
Shape Diamonds members are met at venues or nearby public transport locations by
our trained volunteer Access Assistants to assist our members in feeling more
comfortable and confident in engaging with the arts throughout this unique year of
cultural events.
There is an evolving programme of events to get involved with and the size and variety
of these events are organised to reflect the diverse interests of our members. We are
working with galleries, museums, theatres, film and music venues to secure reduced
priced tickets and to ensure your access requirements are met for every outing.
Whitecross Street Festival involves one of the largest
groups of disabled musicians in the world
Islington welcomes the world! This year’s Whitecross Street Party kicks off Islington’s
2012 festival programme. This extraordinary event, described by Lonely Planet as the
best event to attend in Britain, sees Whitecross Street transformed into a giant canvas
featuring artworks by both established and emerging contemporary urban artists.
Using the very British concept of an old fashioned street party, ‘Whitecross Street Party’
features a range of high quality theatre, dance and music, family events and arts
workshops and activities. There will be plenty of chances for you to get creative and
make your own mark creating work for the exhibition and street party through a series
of workshops and classes. More details to be announced.
Performers include Tap Tap - an anarchic, eclectic and unique musical experience.
Internationally celebrated, they are one of the largest groups of disabled musicians in
the world with almost two hundred core musicians, students and graduates from the
Prague-based Jedlička Institute. This extraordinary orchestra’s repertoire includes
original compositions and delightful arrangements of music by Ray Charles, Johnny
Cash, Iggy Pop, Amy Winehouse, David Koller and Roman Holý. Not to be missed!
Venue:Whitecross Street
Date:21 July 2012 - 22 July 2012
Audience:Under 5s, Children (5 to 11), Young People (12+), Adults Cost:Free
More Info: www.wxstreetparty.co.uk
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Unlimited at Southbank Centre: 31 August – 9 September,
2012 – Celebrating disability alongside the Olympics
‘Unlimited celebrates disability, arts, culture and sport on an unprecedented scale and
encourages disabled and deaf artists to push beyond their personal best alongside
Paralympic athletes, by creating work which opens doors, changes minds, and inspires
new collaborations.’ Arts Council England.
Southbank Centre will present the Unlimited commissions across the site in a high
profile festival to coincide with the 2012 Paralympics. The programme is about artists
pushing themselves to reach previously unattained goals.
It will put the spotlight on the artistic vision and originality of deaf and disabled artists,
giving them space to present their work and share their practice more widely. Unlimited
is a London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project. To buy tickets or for more information see:
http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/unlimited
Or for those of you not impressed by any aspect of the Olympic Games…
Whose Games, Whose City?
Are you fed up with the corporate bandwagon surrounding the Olympic Games? If so
you may want to join the demonstration on 28th July. DAII are in the process of finding
out access arrangements on the day – we will send out further information nearer the
date.
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Travel during the Olympics
During the Games, there are some changes being made to
how roads and public transport will operate. This may affect
many disabled travellers. You can find out what is happening,
when and where, to help you work out how your travel might
be affected and allow you to plan around any disruption by
looking at the following website:
http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/
city/london-public-transport.html
Stuart Low Trust Friday Evening Social Events
Stuart Low run free sociable and fun gatherings on Friday evenings at St Mary’s
Community Centre, Upper Street, Islington, N1 2TX, near to St. Mary’s Church.
All are welcome and there is no need to book! What happens:
•
•
•
Tea, coffee and fruit juice available from 6.30pm
Healthy buffet available at 7pm (vegetarians catered for)
Presentations start at 7.30pm and last one hour.
Here is a list of their events for June and July. If not mentioned the event is held at St
Mary’s Community Centre:
Friday 22nd June 2012 – 6..30 to 9pm
500th Friday Evening Event! Annual Celebration & Volunteer Awards
We can hardly believe it, but tonight we notch up our 500th Friday Evening Event! As
well as our usual warm welcome to new faces, this evening we extend a special
invitation to all our friends and supporters from over the last 11 years. Featuring live
music from RoadWorks.
Friday 29th June 2012 – 6..30 to 9pm
Seeking Harmony – The Vision of the Prince of Wales
Broadcaster, writer and filmmaker Ian Skelly has worked with the Prince of Wales for over
a decade, helping him to articulate his philosophy of Nature and to explain how it can be
put into practice across a wide range of disciplines, including sustainable farming,
effective town planning and our approach in engineering.
Friday 6th July – 6..30 to 9pm
The Underground Beckons
NB This will be held in The Crypt of St Mary’s Church, a few yards from the usual venue in
the community centre. The Crypt entrance is on the left side of the church – look for our
sign in the doorway. Disabled access is available.
Harry Beck's iconic map of the London Underground provides the focus for this
illustrated presentation exploring signs of direction and identity. Lester Hillman, a
previous speaker on transport and infrastructure topics, returns to help navigate our
path.
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Friday 13th July 2012 – 6..30 to 9pm
Raffle
Another of our famously democratic raffles, where everyone’s a winner! Tickets just 20p,
lots of great prizes. Feel free to bring along good quality items to add to the pool.
Thursday 19th July 2012 – 2 to 5pm
Strawberry Tea at Culpeper Community Garden
1 Cloudesley Road, Islington, N1 0EG (meet at the tea hut)
If you haven’t discovered the delights of Culpeper Community Garden yet this is the
perfect opportunity! Drop by on 19 July for some light refreshments, see our two
beautiful garden plots and meet the volunteers. The Stuart Low group meets at the
same time every Thursday afternoon (whatever the weather!), so you’re always welcome
to come along and help out, or just enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.
Friday 20th July 2012 – 6..30 to 9pm
John Arthur – Singer-Songwriter
Singer-songwriter John Arthur, who strummed up a storm when he performed for SLT in
2010, has been variously described as a folk balladeer, the bard of Walthamstow and
“the Wilfred Hyde-White of acoustic rock”! John himself describes his music as
“60sinfluenced pop-rock with shades of acoustic stuff”.
Friday 27th July 2012 – 6..30 to 9pm
Murder at Du Lally Hall – Comedy Murder Mystery
Come and puzzle out whodunnit in this comedy murder mystery, performed by the cast
of Highbury Fields Forever who entertained us brilliantly with their panto back in
January. Lots of fun and audience participation!
Stuart Low Trust also arranges other free monthly outings including a picnic lunch and
refreshments. Please visit www.slt.org.uk or email [email protected] and call 020 7713 9304
for more information.
Elfrida Pub Quiz
Wednesday 4 July, from 6.30 for a prompt 7pm start
As part of the Biggest Small Charity Quiz, Elfrida Rathbone Camden is hosting a pub quiz.
Come and support this local charity that works with families, parents and young
disabled people. Everyone is welcome - feel free to pass this invitation on.
Assembly House, 292-294 Kentish Town Road
Cost: £2 per person - all proceeds go to Elfrida Rathbone Camden
• Exciting prizes and a raffle on the night (£1 a ticket)
• Haven’t got a team? We’ll help put teams together on the night
If you are able to come, please email [email protected] to give us an idea of
numbers.
Contact Elfrida Rathbone Camden at 7 Dowdney Close, Kentish Town, London NW5
2BP, call 020 7424 1601 or visit www.elfridacamden.org.uk .
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