Action on Disability has busy getting ready for its long awaiting Grand opening of it’s new Centre for Independent Living. We recently had the 12 pillars of Independent Living images put on on the outside of the building.
We also had the installation of the a commissioned artwork by Stephen Lee Hodgkins on Disabled Peoples Equality, History and Politics – which looks fantastic and we encourage everyone to come down and visit the new centre to take a look.
Action on Disability recently finished delivering a Disability Equality and Coproduction Training course supported with London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council. It was a fantastic training session with over 22 local residents on H&F getting involved in the sessions learning about coproduction, the Social Model of Disability and Disabled People’s rights
Welfare Benefits Service Update
Over the last year the Welfare Benefit Service dealt with 367 new cases. Backdated lump sum payments for clients were £133,106.40. Increased weekly payments for clients was £14,487.37. It is expected that welfare benefits are awarded for at least 52 weeks. The total figure for weekly income is then £753,343.24.
Employment Service Update
Our Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea supported internship interns are starting their third and final placements and will start applying for their desired pathways into paid employment with support from AOD’s newly recruited Follow up coordinator Chigozie.
The recruitment process for new cohorts has started with assessment and interview days happening across both sites, we are happy to have received a good amount of applications this year!
The in work support service providing disabled people in paid employment support via access to work funding a job coach or support worker is growing, if this a service you could benefit from please contact louisa.noel@aod.org.uk.
Fairshot traineeship trainees are preparing themselves for graduation after almost completing their barista training and work experience at Fairshot cafe, trainees that achieve paid employment will use AOD’s in work support service.
We have also worked hard to recruit for our current vacancies including hosting a stall at Westfields job show where we received 300+ contact details for people interested in applying for various roles.
To view and apply for our current vacancies please use this link- http://aod.org.uk/jobs/
Youth Service Update
Holiday projects
Our next holiday project will be over the Summer Holidays. It will be delivered at the Normand Croft Community School from the 25th of July 2023 until the 17th of August 2023. More information will be available shortly.
During the Easter Holiday Programme, up to 35 young people took part in a 2-week programme filled with a variety of fun and engaging activities. Some of the activities offered over Easter included: swimming, cooking, bike riding, workshops, off-site trips, sports, yoga, skateboarding, dance, music, art projects, movies, and board games. During the final day, young people came together to put on a small performance in front of staff, peers and parents which included songs, playing instruments and dance routines.
Term Time Projects
Youth Club: Our Youth Club is open to ages 16-25 and offers a range of activities. It is delivered at the Masbro Centre on Thursdays from 5:30m-8:30pm.This term we are offering art, board games, dance, sports, cooking, a live drama performance, and workshops. The dates for this term start from the 27th of April until the 4th of July 2023. (There will be no session held on the 1st of June 2023).
Junior Club: Our Junior Club is open to ages 11-16. and offers a range of fun and engaging activities. It is delivered at Normand Croft School on Fridays from 4pm-7pm. Transport is available to those who live within Hammersmith & Fulham. This term we are offering art, board games, sports, healthy eating workshops, video games and much more! The dates for this term start on the 28th of April 2023 until the 5th of July 2023. (There will be no session the 2nd of June 2023)
Soundz: Soundz is a music programme that will be delivered at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on Tuesdays from 3pm-8pm.There are three sessions available. From 3pm-430pm we offer individual sessions (30 minute each). The other two sessions available are 430pm-6pm and 630pm-8pm. The dates for next term start on the 25th of April 2023 until the 2nd of July 2023. (There will be no session on the 30th of May 2023).
Acting Up: Acting up is a performing arts programme that will be delivered at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and is open to young people ages 16-25 who live in West London. The dates for next term begin on the 28th of April 2023 until the 5th of July 2023. (There will be no session the 2nd of June 2023).
Recruitment
We are currently recruiting sessional youth workers, one to one support workers and mini bus drivers. For more information, please contact Admin.youth@aod.org.uk
Announcements:
We would like to congratulate Mariah, Elliott, Bailie and Shannon on completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award!
Direct Payment Support Service Update:
Our Direct Payment Support Service has been busy as always supporting our local residents of Hammersmith & Fulham with Direct Payment Advice and Support.
We are delighted that we have Franklen Choi on board as an Independent Living Advisor to assist with extra support for the service.
Our Direct Payments Support Service Peer group is still looking for more members to join. The group is a great way to share stories, get advice on your Direct Payment and make friends. If you are interested in joining then please get in touch by emailing: dppeersupport@aod.org.uk
Our Place Project
Our Place is a brand-new project as part of our Independent Living Service, where we want to create a community space and resource hub for Disabled People in Hammersmith & Fulham, where your views lead & shape the service and that you can call your own!
We will help to create a space for people to pursue hobbies, develop skills, socialise, peer-to-peer support, and be part of the wider community to make LBHF inclusive & accessible for all.
Family Hubs
Help shape local services for families
What do you and your family want from a family hub?
We want to hear from you! We want you to shape the way services are delivered for families in the borough
Action on Disability, Parentsactive and Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation are co-producing Family Hubs with LBH&F, and we need families to tell us what services they want from them.
We will be holding listening sessions for families to have their say, and coproduction work started in April 2023.
For more information or to register your interest in taking part in engagement sessions, please contact Hannah Smale on 07930 271157 and hannah@yhff.org.uk
Watch David Buxton talk about Family Hubs here!
Join LBHF at our public in-person event to celebrate National Coproduction Week
and the work we have done to turn our commitment to co-produce policies and services with residents, into action!
This event is being hosted by members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Coproduction Implementation Group.
Our theme this year is “Co-production: Making better decisions together”, so join us to find out about the co-produced work we are doing locally on housing, H&F Council’s new Civic Campus (which includes the Hammersmith Town Hall), and other building projects, independent living/social care, and digital accessibility as well as information about how you can get involved!
When: Wednesday 5th July 2023
Where: The Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black’s Road, London, W6 9DT
Time: 1pm – 4pm with breaks for light refreshments
You can register via Eventbrite, Email or SMS:
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-co-production-week-celebration-event-tickets-607507931577?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
Email: coproduction@lbhf.gov.uk
SMS: 07823 535858 (text only)
