Focus Team win cash for Yate Outdoor Disabled Sports

At last, we have got confirmation that we will be getting a grant for more kit for disabled sports at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex. (You may have seen reports of this in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago, but that was a press release from someone who had not been involved in the grant process, and just heard we had an application in and we were likely to get the money.) Now it has been confirmed.

This is £57,618 for track and field equipment for disabled athletes at YOSC and some additional drainage work.

If you've never been to YOSC or don't know where it is, it is worth going up to have a look. You could pop in and have a drink in the bar and find out more.

A committee, made up of councillors from  the Focus Team  have raised over £1.5MILLION to do the site up since South Gloucestershire transferred it back to Yate Town Council. South Glos had let it get run down, but it now  brand new athletics track and field, a target sprint  facility, brand new all weather surface for hockey and football, grass pitches and work starts next week on a new multi use indoor sports building. All paid for by money the committee has raised from local businesses, councils, Sport England and developers.

The entire facility is run by a group of volunteers, called YOSC Ltd - transforming it from a site that lost £190k a year when S Glos run it, into a self financing project without putting up charges!

Princess Anne visited the site last year to congratulate the councillors and volunteers who have transformed the facility.  So if you are interested in sport, and have not been, do check it out.

(Head for Brimsham Green School and just beyond the School you will find the access road)

Photo - users, volunteers, members of the Focus Team, town council staff and contractors at the handover of the upgraded facilities.

Can't wait? Looking for a loo

Have you ever encountered that moment when you are desperate for the loo and there isn't a public look around? The Can't wait scheme is designed to tackle that.

If you spot this sign, it means the shop or building has agreed to make their private toilets available to disabled people with an urgent need. with have a 'can't wait' card. 

The Focus Team has  got all Yate Town Council's buildings to join the scheme  - so you can use their loos if you're a card holder.

If you run a business or community building in our town, could YOU sign up and display a postcard in your window to support the scheme.

If you would like to support the scheme or need info on how to get a Can't Wait card, following the link below:
http://www.sgden.org.uk/can't-wait/

Special Educational Needs and Disability advice

Supportive Parents provides the Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service in South Gloucestershire, as well as Bristol and North Somerset.  They are an independent organisation offering free, confidential and impartial advice to parents, children or any young person aged 16 – 25, about SEND. You can find out more on their website.

Stop Disability Hate Crime in South Gloucestershire - event 12 October

• Have you ever been called names because you are disabled?
• Have people attacked you or your possessions?
• Find out what is happening and how you can help to stop it

Join SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) for an afternoon to find out more about disability hate crime and the organisations that can help:

Wed 12 October, 12.00 pm - 4.30 pm at the Vassal Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.

Click here to book your place, phone SARI on 0117 9420060, or email sari@sariweb.org.uk

Photo clubs to benefit from Community Grants

And the last of our round-up from the recent Frome Vale Area Forum, which awarded two grants to local photographic organisations:

Photographers with Disabilities £2820

PWD was formed to enable people with disabilities to practice the Art of Photography. They run two regular weekly workshops and every fortnight they have a photoshoot with a model. They welcome both disabled and supportive non-disabled members. The grant will cover half the year's rent of the dedicated studio they need - unlike clubs aimed at non-disabled people, they cannot pack up their equipment and take it away after every session.


Sodbury and Yate Photographic Club £700

This club has been running for over 40 years, and welcomes young and old people alike. They run a disabled people's project in conjunction with Paul's Place. This grant will enable them to buy a digital projector to allow them to display each other's work and provide construtive criticism to help members improve their skills.

You can find out more about applying for South Glos Community Grants here.

Valuing You event

"Valuing You" is an event for people with learning difficulties, their families, carers and service providers. It's being held at BAWA in Filton on Wednesday 26 November, from 10am to 3pm, and you can book your place now.

The event will be opened by Paralympian Karen Baxter and give you the chance to find out about activities and opportunities for people with learning difficulties in South Gloucestershire. Activities will include fencing, dancing, boccia, knitting and drumming. There will also be an art competition, and you can find out more information about Dementia Friends and shared reading.

There is no charge to attend the event but you will need to book your place and choose the workshops you might like to take part in:

• Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/valuingyou 
• Email CCHengagement@southglos.gov.uk 
• Telephone 01454 862356

West of England Care and Repair Service

Most older and disabled people want to live in their own home for as long as possible, but sometimes they need a bit of extra support to be able to do so.

South Gloucestershire Council has agreed a new contract with West of England Care & Repair to deliver services that do just that. The agency will provide information and advice on housing related issues, ensure that homes are suitable for people leaving hospital and support those requiring major adaptations to their homes.

A new centre has also been opened in Waterloo Street, Bristol where people can test out equipment to aid their mobility such as level access showers, kitchen equipment and seat raisers. A ‘smart house’ in Yate, offering similar facilities, will be provided later in the year in conjunction with Merlin Housing Society.

The services will help people identify their options by addressing problems such as disrepair, home health, accident hazards, fuel poverty and debt or by finding alternative suitable accommodation. The core customer groups are all older and disabled households, and mostly owner-occupiers. Information and advice and support for those leaving hospital will be provided for free. The agency will also advise on any grants, charities and low cost loans.

Independent living open day

Living, a not for profit community interest company, is holding an open day where people with disabilities can try out the very latest independent living aids and equipment. The event will run from 10am to 3.30pm on Thursday 21st June at The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2QQ. Admission is free and there will be free tea, coffee and cake. For more information please phone 0117 965 3651 or visit www.thisisliving.org.uk.

Disabled living open day

Living (dlc), the disabled living centre, are holding their next drop in day on Wednesday 23rd March 2011 from 10:00am – 3:00pm in the Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds. Admission (and refreshments) are free, occupational therapists will be available and there will be a range of equipment designed to make your life easier.

Living (dlc) exhibition

Living (formerly the Disabled Living Centre) are holding an exhibition of new equipment from 10am-3pm on Thursday 1st July at The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ. Admission is free and all are welcome. You can find out more on their website.