I hope you all found the carers group meeting informative and helpful. A big thank you to Mike Rich CEO of Barnet Carers Centre for chairing the meeting in my absence whilst I was at a council health meeting. Also thank you to our doctor Angela who is always at hand to answer any medical questions.
Mike has informed me that the following was discussed, and information requested. Please note that you will also find the same information in my carers group meeting which I reported in September 2021.
Some of you asked for Margaret’s contact details which are below
Margaret Felle Coyle, Admiral Nurse
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Springwell Centre, Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Herts EN5 3DJ
Tel: 020 8702 4510/6189
E-Mail: margaretfelle.coyle@nhs.net
Supportmatch – Homeshare service (please also see attached further information)
London Office: 020 36336066
Head Office: 016 04905517
Mobile: 078 47 072490
Email: zaira@supportmatch.co.uk
Web: www.supportmatch.co.uk
Taxi Cab – (Please also see attached which was kindly provided by Sandra)
Please see link below from the Barnet Council website which provides details of various transport options which may be of interest for anyone to apply;
https://www.barnet.gov.uk/adult-social-care/stay-connected-and-well/transport-options
- Blue Badge – Helps disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services by allowing them to park close to their destination.
- Freedom Pass – Freedom Passes for older and disabled people are funded by your local council and give free travel on most public transport in London 24 hours a day including weekends and public holidays.
- Mobility Aid Recognition Card (TfL) – For people who use mobility scooters, manual and powered wheelchairs, mobility walkers or shopping trolleys. If your mobility aid is one of the 86 types that will fit into the wheelchair space on London buses, then you can order a Mobility Aid card to show to bus drivers so they can ensure you have access to the bus.
- Motability Car Scheme – Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Car Scheme, run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price.
- North London Dial-a-Ride – Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door multi-occupancy vehicle for disabled people and older people who cannot use buses, trains and tubes. It can be used for many different journeys, such as shopping, visiting friends and family, doctor and dentist appointments, and going out at night. You must have a permanent or long-term disability or health problem, which makes you unable or virtually unable to use public transport.
- Shopmobility at Brent Cross shopping centre – Brent Cross shopping centre run a Shopmobility service which offers people with limited mobility wheelchairs and powered scooters free of charge. Shopmobility is about the freedom to get around. You do not need to be registered disabled to use it.
- Taxicard – The London Taxicard schemeExternal link enables people with physical disabilities to travel in licensed black cabs for a reduced fare. You can apply for membership of the scheme if you are a Barnet resident:
- in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate mobility component
- have a permanent or substantial disability
- in receipt of a War Pensioners’ Mobility supplement
- registered as blind (not partially sighted)
- Travel Mentoring Service – Learn to use public transport through TfL’s travel mentoring service. A mentor comes with you for your first few journeys to help you gain confidence to become an independent traveller. It can also provide help to people who use mobility scooters and other mobility aids on London bus services.
- Travel Support Card – Use the card to ask for help from TfL staff when travelling on any form of public transport in London. For example: help with directions, planning your journey if there are delays, making sure you have time to sit down on a bus before it moves off and help getting on or off river boats.
Please note that next week I have invited Mr Derek Brown. If you remember we all talked about how difficult it is to find the right help and guidance when you need it. Brian introduced us to the website below and I added this to my report last week. You may therefore like to browse through his website and if you have any questions, you will be able to ask him next week.
Dementia Guidance – Brian also mentioned at the meeting about a website with some useful advice which you may like to visit. The website is called Dementia Guidance. Here is the link