aware august 2014

Aware Newsle�er of East Sussex

Disability Associa�on

Issue 51 - August 2014

_________________________________________________

ac�vely empowering and suppor�ng disabled people

ESDA’s Volunteers Make A Difference - Could you?

Volunteers brought ESDA into existence and continue to be our greatest asset. Each and every

volunteer makes a difference no matter their role. Every year we invite nominations for the ESDA

Merit Awards which is one way we recognise the outstanding contribution volunteers make to

the Association in the essential roles of governance and service delivery. The ESDA Merit Award

provides members, staff and other volunteers with an opportunity to ensure that the effort and

dedication of volunteers does not go unrecognised. The ESDA Merit Award is a silver ESDA

badge and a certificate presented by our President, Lady Lloyd at ESDA’s Annual General Meeting.

If you would like to nominate an ESDA volunteer please get in touch with me providing the

volunteers name and how they make a difference.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome some of our new volunteers: Maria, Steven,

Neil, Louise, Richard, Robert. Later in Aware there is an update from Sean one of ESDA’s Karten

volunteers and an introduction from Maria.

We have plenty of volunteering opportunities which are open to all; if you have a couple of hours

or a couple of days to contribute I would be delighted to hear from you. We particularly need

support out in the community across the County for our local groups accompanying members

when they go out and about. This is a rewarding role which involves meeting new people,

companionship, visiting local venues and sharing a meal. If you are physically fit we also need

people to push members in wheelchairs when they go in and out of venues or on short strolls

around venues. At the Centre for Independent Living we need administrative support for our

projects. There is no cost to volunteers as we reimburse all out of pocket expenses and training is

provided.

If you would like to make a difference please contact Marianne on 01323 514531 or

email [email protected] �

Aware - Aug 2014

ESDA - ac�vely empowering and suppor�ng disabled people - www.esda.org.uk 2

Contents

New Year, New You......................................cover

Editorial ..............................................................2

View from the chair ............................................3

ESDA services ..................................................4/5

Local groups ................................................6/7/8

Other News …..………………………................9/10/11

The Ac�vate Gym at Chaseley ..........................12

Pursuits 4 U …..……………………….........................13

Older People’s Day 2014 ………..………………….…14

Le8ers ..............................................................15

Events and contacts ……………….................back

Editorial

Nick Tapp

CEO

As I write this I have no�ced that, a:er what’s

been a pre8y warm summer, that the weather is

star�ng to cool down somewhat. I know winter is a

fair way off but it has made me think about what

hardships some of you, your carers and families,

may be facing as �me goes on.

We know that many of you will have had a

re-assessment of the services you receive from

Adult Social Care. Some of you may have had a cut

to those services, or be asked to pay more for

them. Some of you may be ge=ng less and paying

more.

We know that some of you will have had changes

to the amount of benefit you get, and that some of

you are worried about changes to come. We know

that some of you will have been affected by the

‘bedroom tax’ and either will be looking to move

or be faced with a higher bill for your rent.

We know that those of you living off savings have seen

li8le by the way of an increase on that income for

some �me. Similarly those of you in work will probably

have had a pay-freeze for a few years.

We also know that hea�ng, food and other costs have

gone up.

Obviously something has to give in such situa�ons. We

have heard of people who have to make choices

between food or hea�ng; between food for their

children and nothing for themselves; rent or hea�ng;

and so on.

We know that any one of these will have a detrimental

effect on an individual’s health. Poor diets contribute

to ill health; inadequate hea�ng contributes to ill

health; inadequate housing contributes to poor health;

increased stress contributes to ill health. I could go on.

We would like to find out from you how these austere

�mes are affec�ng you and your family. We want to

know what difficult choices you have to make. We

want to know how o:en you have to go without

essen�als – be that heat, food, care etc. If we have

evidence from enough of you then we can share your

experiences with those people who can make a

difference.

Interested in ge=ng involved? Then please contact me

at the office and get signed up to comple�ng our ‘Daily

Diary’ over a 4 week period. This is an ini�a�ve

developed by our colleagues at Spectrum CIL in

Southampton and we are grateful to Ian Loynes and his

team for le=ng us use this great idea. We’d love to

hear your story so please consider signing up. �

News from the Office

ESDA is sad to announce the passing away of Barbara

Bea=e. Some of you may have known Barbara who

was a volunteer in the informa�on service here at the

office. Barbara was also ac�vely involved in the Direct

Payments Support Group based in Eastbourne.

Barbara will be greatly missed as she was such a bright

character to have around and did so much to help

others.

She also had a great love of poetry and had also had

some of her own composi�ons published.

Our thoughts are with her family. �

Aware - Aug 2014


View from the

Chair

Sarah Playforth

Grey skies as I write - a:er so many weeks of

gorgeous sunshine, what a wash out Bank

Holiday Monday was! I hope you all found ways

to enjoy yourselves in any case!

I have had very li8le �me to write my column this

�me, so I've "cheated" a bit and li:ed quite a

chunk from a news post. I want to raise

something that affects many of us when we drive

to our local hospital, whether as pa�ents or

visitors. In the news this week:

"Hospitals in England have been told to cut the

cost of parking for certain groups under new

government guidelines. Ministers said rela�ves

of people who were seriously ill or had to stay in

hospital for a long �me should be given free

parking or reduced charges. Concessions should

also be offered to people with disabili�es and

NHS staff whose shi: pa8erns meant they could

not use public transport, they said. Hospital

parking policies are set by individual NHS trusts.

The Department of Health guidance made it clear

trusts were responsible for the ac�ons of private

car parking contractors running facili�es on their

behalf. The guidelines also recommended

hospitals should use "pay-on-exit" schemes so

motorists pay only for the �me they use in a

hospital car park. And they say trusts should

waive fines if a visitor or pa�ent overstays

through no fault of their own, for example

because treatment took longer than planned, or

when staff have to work beyond their scheduled

shi:. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

"Pa�ents and families shouldn't have to deal with

the added stress of unfair parking charges..""

These clear ground rules set out our expecta�ons, and

will help the public hold the NHS to account for unfair

charges or prac�ces.""

This has been an issue for me personally not only

recently, but many �mes over the last few years. If you

also have a view on this, or experiences you'd like to

share, do get in touch with us here at ESDA and we can

collect up your views to pass on to the relevant

organisa�ons.

All the best to everyone & I look forward to seeing a

good number of you at the AGM in October. �

New Tenants

We are pleased to welcome Scope to our centre in

Eastbourne.

As from 1st September they will be ren�ng an office at

our centre from which to run their employment ser-

vice.

Scope's Employment Services support disabled people

in gaining and sustaining meaningful work in large

corpora�ons, public sector bodies and with local

employers.

They can help with:

• CV wri�ng

• interview prac�ce

• career coaching

• confidence and esteem building

• job searching

They provide one-to-one advice from Scope staff. And

as part of the job club you'll meet other people and get

support from the group.

You can be referred to them through Jobcentre Plus, or

you can get in touch directly with them to get started.

You can find out more about the services they are able

to offer and find their contact details on their website

here: www.scope.org.uk/support/services-

directory/job-club-kent-sussex-

surrey

or call 01480 309615

Aware - Aug 2014


ESDA Coach Services News

Winners of our

Poster Pos�ng

Compe��on!

Bob and Lin Halsey of

the Has�ngs based

ac�vity group 'Amputees R Us' receiving a

bouquet of flowers and chocolates. Wendy had

the pleasure of presen�ng the prize during their

ou�ng to the Llama Park at Wych Cross in July.

Ou�ng photos are available on our Facebook page

www.facebook.com/esdacoaches. We’d like to

thank Bob and Lin for their efforts in pu=ng

together a social calendar of ou�ngs and holidays

for older people, disabled people and friends

using ESDA coaches for accessible door-to-door

transport. If you’d like to know more about

joining their group or star�ng one of your own call

Wendy on 01323 514512 (Tuesday to Friday 9am

to 3pm).

Introducing our new Driver A�endant,

Richard Heath. Richard has helped us out in the

past and now joins our regular

team of specialist drivers who

are fully trained in assis�ng

passengers with addi�onal

needs and disabili�es. Wel-

come Richard! Good to have

you on board (pun intended!).

We are also pleased to welcome Lori

Dodd to our Admin Team. Lori has been

providing much needed support as a volunteer

and now joins the staff. Apart from Lori’s

customer service skills and

previous administra�on

experience she is also rather

good at baking birthday

cakes…

ESDA Coach Services Ltd

Fully Accessible Coach Ou�ngs

ESDA Coach Services Ltd provides a cost effec�ve door

-to-door transport service, operated by professional

PSV drivers with specialist training in assis�ng

passengers with addi�onal needs and disabled

people.

Fully accessible 30 seat coaches with tail li:s cater for

all. Wheelchair users can travel alongside seated

passengers while the tail li: can also be used to board

those who find coach steps difficult to manage.

Full Operators Licence

Our full Operators Licence means we can make our

service available to all including business users and

privately owned nursing homes, care homes, schools,

holiday tour operators and private individuals.

ESDA Coach Services facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/esdacoaches

Our a�en�on to detail and personalised service

takes the worry out of transport planning. To find

out more please contact Wendy Hiscox on 01323

514512; by email to [email protected], or drop

a line to the address above.

ESDA Coach Services is commi8ed to making accessi-

ble coach transport available to all, where disabled

and non-disabled people can travel together. We aim

to offer excellent value with an excellent standard of

service and are proud to be Approved Members of

the East Sussex County Council Support with

Confidence Scheme.

Aware - Aug 2014


ESDA Centre for Independent Living

We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding from East Sussex County Council

for three years.

This offers a real opportunity for us to develop our service and extend our reach to our

service users across the county.

We are always pleased to receive comments about our service or ideas for its development

so please feel free to make contact either via email [email protected] or phone 01323 514515.

During the summer the DLC has been represented at a series of countywide informa�on

sessions; and Liz has a8ended the Community Stroke Rehab Service course at Firwood House

to publicise the value of our DLC. We were informed that this was well received so intend to

a8end future sessions at Firwood House on a regular basis.

DLC forthcoming events:

AKW kitchen/shower room design presenta�on - Tuesday 16th

September

FULLY BOOKED

Combined drop-in and product session - Thursday 2nd

October 9.30am to

12.30pm featuring guest exhibitors: AKW, All at Home, Peta (products),

Con�nence Service, Welbeing Telecare, Neoslip and Closomat.

Kitchen Workshops are being held on Tuesday 23rd

September and Tuesday

18th

November. Please ring 01323 514515 for details and to book a place.

Please look out for details of our exci�ng new developments in your next issue of Aware!

And finally, you may be interested to know that it is Na�onal Arthri�s Week 12th

- 19th

October, find out more at www.arthri�sresearchuk.org/contact-us

RASCALS is a self-help group, based in the Eastbourne area. It offers the opportunity for

anyone who has Rheumatoid Arthri�s to meet once a month in a friendly and suppor�ve

atmosphere. The group also organises regular events. For more informa�on please phone

telephone Jacqui on 01323 410820 or or visit their website www.rascalsgroup.co.uk

Daily Living Centre Team

Aware - Aug 2014


News from local groups

Polegate and Willingdon

Due to lack of numbers we unfortunately had to

stop the group’s extra summer ou�ngs on

Wednesday this year.

However the Friday ou�ngs are s�ll going well, and

in June the group had an ou�ng to the Moorings in

Pevensey which is always very popular. As usual a

very good meal.

In July they went to the Drove in Newhaven and in

August they went out to the Bear Inn in Burwash.

Future trips include the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne,

Paradise Park in Newhaven and the Green Man at

Ringmer.

If you know of anyone who would be interested in

going out on the third Friday of the month then

please contact Andy Evans on 01323 504893 or

07757 240331 or contact the office and ask for

Marianne or Andy on 01323 514500 �

Crowborough

Crowborough group go out on the first Wednesday of

the month and in June enjoyed a trip to The Drove in

Newhaven.

Unfortunately due to ill health and lack of numbers the

July trip was cancelled, a very rare occurrence.

The group however had a really good �me in August

when they came down to Eastbourne to the Moorings

in Pevensey followed by a drive along the seafront on

the way home.

There are trips to the Green Man at Ringmer and

Paradise Park, Newhaven coming up.

As for all groups, funds are always needing to be raised.

If anyone has any ideas for fundraising or if anyone can

help then please contact Andy Evans on 01323 504893

or 07757 240331 �

Aware - Aug 2014



Hailsham

We recently had a stall at the Hailsham Fete

held in the grounds of the Hailsham

Community College. It was organised between

the Hailsham Town Council and the

Parent/Teacher Commi8ee of the college. The

weather was fine which brought out lots of

parents etc. and they spent their money.

We had a tombola stall; we were told that only

three would be allowed but on the day nearly

every charity had a tombola on it, but ours was

the one they kept coming back to. We made

£233 which will go a long way to boost our ev-

er diminishing funds.

We would like to take this opportunity through

AWARE to thank all those who gave so

generously by way of prizes and �me to help

us.

One of our members from Rushlake Green,

Joyce Parro8, along with her family, has a stall

on the green to raise funds for us and this year

they raised £180. We really appreciate what

they do for us and thank them for their

generosity. �

Chris�ne, Carole and Kay

Seaford

Membership has increased through the year with

members enjoying ou�ngs to the King’s Head,

Horsebridge (which is proving to be a very popular

venue for all of ESDA’s local groups), The Green Man,

Saltdean Tavern, The Moorings, Southdowns Heritage

Centre and the Eight Bells in Bolney.

In August members were treated to a home cooked

lunch at Chailey village hall (pictured below) by Chailey

WI who also put on a raffle and had a lovely selec�on

of home grown and home-made produce for members

to purchase. A good day was had by all.

Forthcoming ou�ngs include the Langham Hotel,

Haskins and the Drove in Newhaven.

If you are looking for accessible venues for ou�ngs

please contact Marianne or Wendy as we both have

good knowledge of many venues around the County.

Our groups urgently need volunteer escorts on ou�ngs

so if you can help please contact Marianne on 01323

514531 �

Aware - Aug 2014



Seaford Kurlers

Since my last update for the May 2014 AWARE

magazine we have quite a number of new members.

We have had our usual in-house annual tournament

and we presented the shield and the replica keepsakes

to the winners and runners up. This year’s winners are

Barbara Bradley and Tim Wood. The runners up are

Molly Baker and Ian Leonard.

We had a very good day on August 10th

at the Wave

Leisure Paragames event. It is run each year in

conjunc�on with Sainsbury’s Newhaven, Seaford Town

Council and the Rotarians and others contribute also. A

number of different sports are played. Seaford Kurlers

help to organise and run the New Age Kurling event. It

is an amazing sight to see. A sports hall filled with com-

pe�tors in all different kinds of wheelchairs.

At the end of the event everyone involved had had a

fantas�c couple of hours. Everyone will look forward to

the event next year. I suggested that perhaps the

organisers at Wave could look at other types of events

for people with varying levels of mobility problems.

Par�cularly involving the children of the community

who are unable to partake in the main stream of

schools sports. New Age Kurling can be played on an

equal level by anyone.

The success of the paragames event was also as good

as it was because of the amazing coopera�on and

assistance from the Wave Leisure staff. They are so

willing to help & always such a cheerful lot.

The next event that we have planned is on September

4th

when we go to Rye Market and also have a fish and

chip lunch at the Ke8le o’ Fish. We shall be transported

there in great fashion by ESDA coach services. All we

need is good weather!!

In September we shall be vo�ng for this year’s winner

of the Bob Ma8hews Achievement Cup. The votes will

be counted at the AGM in October and a:er engraving

the keepsake cup will be presented to the club mem-

ber. The cup is for the member that people think have

achieved a lot in the preceding year – either for them-

selves or for the club. Last year’s winner will present it.

June Wood Secretary to Seaford Kurlers

Telephone : 01323 895376�

Seahaven Paragames

ESDA Coach Services once again provided the

transport for this event. A brilliant day was enjoyed

by all.

Here are just a few pictures from the day:

Zumba

Archery

Bowls—hosted by

the Bowls

Development

Alliance

Wheelchair

Slalom

Aware - Aug 2014


Other news— Your Associa�on Needs You! I am wri�ng to you all to ask for your help.

It is a simple request and you might not think that it will help much but trust me, if you respond and contact me, you will be helping me enormously.

When I submit applica�ons to poten�al funds to raise money for ESDA, I need to include real case studies or quotes from the people supported by our different services.

Also, when I am out and about visi�ng different companies, giving presenta�ons about ESDA and asking them to use our employee fundraising pack, it helps if I can tell “real” stories of the people we support.

Here is an example of one quota�on that I use a lot:

“As a result of my work experience with ESDA using

specialist equipment I have secured employment

with a local electrical contractor and am looking

forward to my new job with confidence. My heart-

felt thanks to everyone involved in making my life

useful again”. ESDA Intern

It would be really helpful to have a selec�on of snippets like this one – or even the whole story – a page about how any one of you might have benefited by being an ESDA member.

Whether you have only used one of the services we offer, or a selec�on of different services, please do s�ll let me know how we have helped you – and what would have happened if we hadn’t been here for you.

These two-liner quotes help me to personalise the descrip�ons I give of the services we offer and telling real-life stories engages the audience listening to any presenta�ons about ESDA.

So, whether you’d like to talk about the posi�ve effects of going on an ESDACS coach trip or the fun you have as a member of a local group, any comments will be welcome. You might want to say how the informa�on you received at the Daily Living Centre changed your day-to-day life or the reasons why you enjoy reading Aware – any situa�on you describe will help me in some way.

It doesn’t all have to be rosy …

You might want to talk about the difficult �mes too,

the nega�ve impact of the cuts to benefits and

services for example, if you would like to help me

paint a picture of how the landscape is changing out

there, please do tell me your story. Anything goes!

You can write to me at:

ESDA, 1 Faraday Close, Hampden Park, Eastbourne,

East Sussex BN22 9BH

or you can call me on: 01323 514528

or you can send your story or snippets to me by email

at: [email protected],

We make the comments anonymous so no-one’s

privacy is threatened and/or we can dra: composite

case studies where we take a selec�on of different

stories to give an overall view of a common situa�on –

again all anonymised.

If you do send something in to me, I will need to ask

you to sign and date a form that gives me permission

to actually use your story but I can send that in the

post or via email (preferably via email because it’s

cheaper) so that we keep our records in good order

and follow charity good prac�ce guidelines.

If you are wri�ng to me now, simply fill in the form

below, remember to sign and date it.

By the way, if you don’t want to cut up your copy of

Aware, simply copy the informa�on into a le8er or

email that you send me – as long as I receive your

signed consent, we’re ok. (Incidentally, a typed

signature on your email does count as your signature,

so please don’t worry about that).

Here’s the form/ the wording for you to copy…

I am looking forward to hearing from you … and thank

you in advance. Linda

�

Name

Address

Postcode

Telephone (op�onal)

Email (op�onal)

Please complete the signature and date sec�on below if you are happy to give the East Sussex Disability Associa�on (registered charity number 1042071)your consent to use any story, comment or tes�monial that you supply for its promo-

�onal purposes (all informa�on provided will be anonymised).

I give my consent:

Signature: Date:

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you.

Aware - Aug 2014


Volunteering

Starting Uni and looking to the future

Before star�ng University I applied for Student

Finance to help with costs involved in a8ending

university, the funding I get for SFE (Student Finance

England) pays for my tu�on fees and I also qualify for

money which is for me to live on. As part of my

finance applica�on I applied for Disabled Students

Allowance (DSA) for this I a8ended an assessment to

assess my needs, any support I'd need whilest at

Uni and to see what equipment if any could be sup-

plied to aid me in my study, for example a laptop

and book chair, (a deck chair like stand to rest books

on, which also holds the book open). The cost of the

equipment was covered by my DSA. I a8end the

University of Brighton studying Human Biology and

Educa�on on the Joint Honours Programme, like my

able bodied peers I have to travel to the campus

where my course is run, for me transport comes in

the form of a taxi, the cost of the fare to and from

Uni is covered by the DSA I receive. I have now

finished my first year on a three year course and am

proud of what I have achieved, during the summer

break I have returned to ESDA to volunteer as well as

taking on other voluntary opportuni�es.

I look forward to returning to University to complete

my second year. Looking to the future I feel that I

would like to go on to study for a PGCE, (a teaching

qualifica�on).

My en�tlement to

Disabled Students

Allowance (DSA) has

enabled me access

Higher Educa�on and

a8end Uni, without this

funding it would be very

difficult for me to obtain

a qualifica�on at this

level of study.

Sean Clark

Volunteering at the ESDA Office

I was born in Poland where I lived for the first 20 years

of my life. I moved to the UK in 2007 a:er my high

school gradua�on. I came here to join my parents and

sister who lived here already for couple of years in a

beau�ful town of Lewes in East Sussex.

For the first 3 years, I spent in the UK, I was studying

English at Sussex Downs College in Lewes. Then I

decided to go a bit further and I started an Access

Course and I planned to go to University.

Unfortunately this was a li8le bit too difficult for me,

so I quit the course a:er one term. So, since January

2011 I am ac�vely looking for work, but unfortunately

with no results.

In February this year a company called Newcep who is

helping me with finding a job sent me for a pre-

employment mo�va�on course here at ESDA. I found

this course really useful and mo�va�ng, and I also

found out that there is a possibility to become a

volunteer at ESDA – which I thought could be a good

start to get some work experience and build my CV

which looked really blank as I never worked before.

Also this place seemed to be a good start because it’s

fully adapted for me as a wheelchair user.

So here I am, volunteering at recep�on 3 �mes a

week, ge=ng experience with hope that someday I

can use this experience in my future paid job.

Maria

Aware - Aug 2014


Aware - Aug 2014


The Activate Gym Eastbourne

Welcome to the Activate Gym, a wheelchair accessible gym based

within the Therapy Department at The Chaseley Trust in Eastbourne

East Sussex. Activate is the only gym in the Eastbourne area

specifically for wheelchair users and provides a supported environ-

ment to allow both wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility

an opportunity to exercise.

Under the guidance of our gym instructor and following a full induction

programme, tailor-made packages are designed to suit your individual

requirements so whether the user is exercising for the first time or wanting

to continue to keep fit and healthy the gym instructor can advise and

support you to get the most out of your gym experience. Our present

equipment includes; two multi-gyms for a full upper body strengthening

workout, two supported cross trainers for core and resistance work, five

cycle machines for assisted and active upper and lower limb workouts, a

treadmill for walking practice as well as stamina and endurance, an

adapted Rowing machine for full body work and not forgetting parallel bars

and free weights. Our staff are very friendly and ready to assist so why not

arrange a visit to our gym and have a look for yourself I’m sure you will not

be disappointed. Just call 01323 744 386 and ask for our gym instructor

David Monaghan who will be happy to answer any queries.

Aware – Aug 2014


Sign Up for a Pursuits 4U Taster Session.

Imagine being alone, unable to leave the house with nobody but your television for company. It’s a depressing

thought but it’s also reality for many older people. Many people spend the final years of their life alone, dying

with very few close friends or family, with social isola�on and loneliness.

Loneliness is something which affects us all but older people are par�cularly vulnerable. This can be for many

reasons, including losing their circle of friends or their spouse, having family who are far away, or problems

with mobility, which may mean they simply can’t get out as much as they would like to.

Loneliness has been a8ributed to heart condi�ons, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

So what can be done to tackle social isola�on among older people?

Pursuits 4U have many meaningful and s�mula�ng day opportuni�es that brings together people to make new

friends, have a laugh and enjoy the great banter with other like minded people.

Pursuits 4U knows that its regular friendship link provides a real solu�on to a complex problem. It can im-

prove physical as well as mental health and keeps older people living independently in the community for long-

er.

Pursuits 4U has purposely been imagina�ve with varied day opportuni�es on offer because we acknowledge

that people are unique with individual tastes and preferences. This promotes individuals to maintain their iden-

�ty through their own personal pursuit star�ng from as low as £15 per day opportunity.

All of our day opportuni�es, though different, promotes older people and person’s with demen�a to feel

be8er, so if you’re concerned about the welfare of an older person around you, do your best to invite them to

a Pursuits 4U ac�vity to help bring comfort and companionship in their life.

Pursuits 4U are a running a series of fun taster sessions so come and join us for an a:ernoon of fun ac�vi�es!

Please call Joshua Kea�ng to book a free taster session (Ageing well and demen�a resource co-ordinator) on

01273 582786 or www.pursuits4u.co.uk.

Aware - Aug 2014


Older People’s Day 2014

Older People’s Day 2014 runs throughout September and October 2014.

October 1st is officially Older People's Day – an Interna�onal day created to recognise and celebrate the

achievements and contribu�ons that older people make to our society.

Once again ESCC have partnered with seniors' forums, the voluntary sector, community groups and other

statutory organisa�ons to put together and support a programme of events to mark Older People's Day.

“The Older People’s Day Planning Group, which includes the Senior Forums, together with community groups,

voluntary organisa�ons and housing providers, has worked hard to produce a programme of events that

reaches all around the county. You should fid something going on, close to where you live, and many of them

are free.

Have a go at something new—perhaps a Zumba class, or new interest club—be pampered, feel well, have a

laugh and my favourite, the real taster sessions with tea, cakes, soups, light refreshments and café lunches.

If you see something you fancy, remember to check if you need to book a place for you and your friends (even

if it’s free) and do get in touch with Community Transport if you have difficulty ge=ng out and about and could

do with some help.

Some�mes people say to me, “I would like to go but I don’t want to go on my own” - but you won’t be on your

own at these events. You’ll meet people on the Community bus and you can be sure of a warm welcome at

any of the events .

We celebrate Older People’s Day as a thank you, to you all, for the contribu�on you have made in your work-

ing life and for your con�nuing work as volunteers, child minders and carers.

This is your day. Enjoy!”

Kate Davies, East Sussex Seniors’ Associa�on (ESSA) chair �

Visit the ESCC website for more informa�on about the Older People’s Day here

h8p://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/over50s/olderpeoplesday.htm?utm_source=shortURL-

olderpeoplesday&utm_medium=printpress&utm_content=olderpeoplesday&utm_campaign=olderpeoplesday

You can view the “Let's Celebrate!” events programme online here

h8p://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B020D19D-BFEC-4E18-AC57-

7914DCB24982/0/OPDFINALforweb.pdf

You can obtain a paper copy of the events programme from your local library or we have a few copies of the

booklet here at the ESDA office.

Aware - Aug 2014


Le8ers

Dear ESDA

I’d just like to say thank you on behalf of the

Bowls Development Associa�on for including us

in your publica�on, I’ve had a great response to

the ad already! Which is fantas�c. These people

are not only accessing Bowls but will be joining in

with support groups too, from a social aspect, it’s

brilliant.

Thanks again, BC

Dear ESDA Coaches

We would like to say a big thank you to all at ESDA for

the bouquet of flowers & chocs to which the boss took

them ( the wife ). These were presented to Lyn on our

recent trip to the Llama Park where once again ESDA

coach services done us proud. We met the new owner

and there is certainly more to see there. It is well

worth a future visit.

BOB - AMPUTEES R US

Dear ESDA Coaches

A wonderful day was enjoyed by all and our

grateful thanks for the help that Mark gave to

those who needed assistance.

We had a lovely ride to Merriments through

countryside and the visit to Bewl Water was en-

joyed by all.

We look forward to the opportunity of using

your services again.

Regards

L

Dear ESDA

Just wanted to let you know that the Otago

providers have had a number of enquiries as a

result of the ar�cle you published, so thank you

very much for your help to promote the

programme!

Kindest

S

Dear ESDA Coaches

The commi8ee and I would like to thank you and our

drivers, Bob and Darren for our excellent care during

the Darby and Joan Club ou�ng to Eastbourne yester-

day.

We appreciate the work that you do to make sure the

trip runs smoothly, and have to say that our drivers

did an excellent job, following my not always helpful

direc�ons, and ge=ng us to and from the venue safely

and on �me. They were very friendly, polite and good

humoured

With warm regards

J

Dear DLC

I was amazed to see the variety of ar�cles on display

and the amount of carefully thought out ar�cles there

are to assist all kinds of disabili�es. Above all I was so

grateful for the understanding of my problems and

the considera�on L showed and the knowledge of the

difficul�es I face. Her helpful, useful sugges�ons

cheered me no end, and her detailed knowledge of

her subject was very impressive.

Anon

Aware - Aug 2014

Events and contacts

East Sussex 1 Faraday Close, Eastbourne BN22 9BH

Disability Tel: 01323 514500

Associa�on Fax: 01323 514501

Text: 07564 932445

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.esda.org.uk

Daily Living Centre [email protected] - 01323 514515

Informa�on Service [email protected] - 01323 514521

Mee�ng Room Hire [email protected] - 01323 514500

Local Services [email protected] - 01323 514500

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twi8er

East Sussex Disability Associa�on @ESDAEastSussex

Registered Charity No. 1042071. Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2979027. Registered in England & Wales

Please note that the views or ar�cles in the Aware newsle8er are not necessarily the views of ESDA.

ESDA DLC Open Days

2nd October 2014 - 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at the DLC

6th November 2014—9.30 am to 12.30 pm in the DLC

4th December 2014—9.30 am to 12.30 pm in the DLC

ESDA AGM

Thursday 9th October 2014 - Towner Gallery, Devonshire Park, College Rd, Eastbourne, East

Sussex BN21 4JJ . Arrive from 10.30 am. AGM start at 11am. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be

served.

Karten Centre IT Classes— Computer Training

These informal classes are held at the Centre every Tuesday and Thursday a:ernoons from

2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

If you are interested in a8ending or would like more informa�on, please contact Marianne on

01323 514531.

aware august 2014

Documents

new volunteers

dedication of volunteers

esdas karten volunteers

esda volunteer

esda merit awards

silver esda badge

new people

local venues