Tel: 01473 836777
Fax: 01473 836778
Textphone: 01473 836779
Email enquiries@optua.org.uk
Tel: 01473 836777
Fax: 01473 836778
Textphone: 01473 836779
Email enquiries@optua.org.uk
Around 40 disabled people, family carers and people from organisations representing their interests came along to our second Members Forum in Kesgrave in December 2008.
This was the second event Optua has held for people to hear an update on the county council's plans to introduce Self Directed Support and Personal Budgets in Suffolk. It also featured an opportunity to ask questions of Graham Gatehouse, Director of Adult and Community Services at Suffolk County Council and Anna McCreadie, the council's Service Access and Partnership Director.
Graham and Anna listened to all the concerns and said these would be taken into account as the plans for Self Directed Support develop. Graham said that it was very useful to be able to come to talk with members and that we should arrange these meetings on a fairly regular basis.
For more information about personal budgets you can also go to www.suffolk.gov.uk/CareAndHealth/Money/PersonalBudgets.htm.
Achievements summarised at Optua's Annual General meeting
Optua's Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 16 July 2008 at Needham Market Community Centre.
Between 50 and 60 of our members came along to hear presentations about our work and achievements in 2007/08 including personal testimonies from clients of our Care and Homecare service and Optua UK's Community Brain Injury Services. Our success stories over the past year have included:
Optua's Annual Review of 2007/08 is available from its main office on 01473 836777.
National interest in Suffolk Disability Sport Academy
Optua's Suffolk Disability Sport Academy has had national recognition recently.
The Academy has been highlighted in a national report recently launched by Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell. The Department for Culture Media and Sport's Legacy Action Plan: 'Before, during and after: making the most of the London 2012 Games', highlights Optua's disability sport academy as a community project positively promoting sport in the run up to London 2012.
Colin Poole, Chief Executive of Optua, said: "It is great to be highlighted in this national report. London 2012 will inspire many people to take up sport and want to go on and achieve something. Disabled people are no exception and we have already seen how popular the events we have organised have been. There has been an exciting buzz at our disability sport showcase days and many people have gone on to take part in regular sessions. It's an extremely positive project we're proud to have got off the ground."
You can view the report here.
One of Optua's Disability Sport Training Sessions was also chosen as part of a visit to Suffolk by Sir Keith Mills, Deputy Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 24 June where he also heard about the work of the Disability Sport Academy.
For more information about the Suffolk Disability Sport Academy click here.
Have your say on disability issues in Forest Heath
The Forest Heath Disability Forum was set up in 2007 by Forest Heath District Council with support from Optua. The aim was to set up a group to represent the interests of all disabled people living in the district and which can feed back to the council and other organisations on any issues which are raised. It will also provide an opportunity for the council to consult with disabled people on any issues which directly affect them.
Anyone with a disability or those representing disability organisations are welcome to take part. You can view the terms of reference and minutes of previous meetings here.
Anyone interested in hearing more about the forum should contact Forest Heath District Council on 01638 719301. Forest Heath District Council may be able to assist with travel arrangements to enable people to get to the meeting. Optua worked in partnership with Forest Heath District Council to help deliver their Disability Equality Duty to residents and to improve the way they consult with and inform disabled people, their carers and groups representing them.
14 teams of people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities took part in this year's Optua RHS Games at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook on Thursday 26 June.
This year's games included fun events such as welly-throwing, skittles and ball games.
Sudbury Resource Centre were crowned the winners after a final between their team and the 'Stowmarket Stars'. The winning team received a trophy and both they and the Stowmarket Stars received medals for their efforts.
This now annual event was enjoyed by everyone who took part in the day and we are very grateful to all the RHS volunteers for making it such a fantastic day.
Lucky 13 for young powerlifter
At our recent Disability Sport Showcase Day in Great Cornard, 16-year-old powerlifter Nathaniel Wilding became the 13th up and coming athlete, and the first one with a disability, to receive a grant from the Suffolk SportsAid Foundation.
Nathaniel received a cheque for £500 and has his sights firmly set on representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics. He is not only ranked number one in his age group in Great Britain but is also in the top 20 in Europe. This season he is scheduled to compete in the British Championships, the French Open and the Junior World Development Championships in America.
The Suffolk SportsAid Foundation was launched last December with the specific aim of raising money to help Suffolk's up and coming sportsmen and women to achieve on the national, international and world stage. It is a joint initiative between SportsAid, the national charity for sport, Suffolk Sport and Rising to the Challenge Suffolk, the campaign to maximise the benefits for Suffolk from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nathaniel is a member of the successful Suffolk Spartans Powerlifting Club which is based in East Bergholt and which Optua helped to set up. The Suffolk Spartans already have several talented young members who have a bright future in the sport.
For more information on the Suffolk Sportsaid Foundation, visit www.suffolksportsaid.com.
For more information on the Suffolk Spartans, visit www.suffolkspartans.co.uk.
A new website has been launched which provides information for disabled people on how to live healthier and more active lifestyles.
The Alive and Thrive website features a wealth of information for all disabled people on subjects such as staying active, exercise and healthy eating. The site contains downloadable information from the Alive and Thrive Action Pack which has been produced by the Suffolk Disability and Health Action Group, (SDHAG). The group which is a partnership of disability organisations with representation from the Primary Care Trusts in Suffolk, was established in 1997 to promote the good health of disabled people.
The website is being hosted by Optua's own website and has its own address at www.aliveandthrive.org.uk.
Scooter safety message from Optua
Optua is reminding users of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs of the need to use them safely and responsibly.
Two incidents in Ipswich have been reported in the local media recently where mobility scooters have been involved in accidental collisions with people and Optua is also aware of the issue being raised through the Local Access Groups that it co-ordinates.
Linda Hoggarth, chairman of Optua, said: "As a charity representing the interests of all disabled people, Optua is anxious that users of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs do not get a bad name because of a small number of incidents. The majority of disabled people use them safely and responsibly and do not cause any problems. However, it is sensible to remind users of some basic safety tips which they should always follow for their safety and that of the general public."
Some useful safety tips for user of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs:
More detailed safety tips are available in the 'Get Wise' Highway Code for Electric Scooter and Wheelchair Users, which is available from the British Healthcare Trades Associate on 0207 7022141. The Driving Standards Agency also recently consulted on changes to the national Highway Code which will include a new section covering electric mobility vehicles.
Optua's main office has moved!
In 2007 we moved our main office from Red Gables in Stowmarket to new purpose-built rented accommodation a few miles down the road at Hill View Business Park in Claydon.
Services that have more direct contact with people in Mid Suffolk have remained in Stowmarket so that it is easier for local people to access them.
That means that Optua Community Transport and Optua Advice and Advocacy are still based in Stowmarket to enable them to continue to provide the same level of service and their addresses and telephone numbers will stay the same.
The following services have all moved to Claydon and their new numbers are listed:
Optua Homecare is based in Woodbridge on 01394 388588.
Our address at Claydon is Optua House, Hill View Business Park, Claydon, Ipswich, IP6 0AJ.
Directions to the new office
Take the slip road off the A14 - signposted for Claydon and Great Blakenham and then take the Claydon turning off the roundabout. After about 300 yards turn right into Old Ipswich Road (Hill View Business Park is signposted). Continue along this road for about one mile. Hill View Business Park is on the left. Optua House is at the top left of the site.
For an online map with directions Click here.
There is easy access by bus to Hill View Business Park with a bus stop just outside the entrance on Old Ipswich Road.
Can you help people get from A to B? Our community transport service needs more volunteer drivers!
Optua's Community Transport runs a range of transport services in Mid Suffolk, providing a lifeline to older, disabled and rurally isolated people. The services are supported by Suffolk County Council and cover many rural villages in the Stowmarket area.
Volunteer drivers are vital to the running of the services and more are needed for Optua's minibus and community car services which can be booked by people needing transport in the Mid Suffolk area.
Volunteering as a driver is very rewarding, giving you the chance to meet people and to get out and about in the Suffolk countryside. You will also be helping to provide a vital role in assisting people who may be isolated by a disability or other circumstances, to get about the county.
Volunteer driving is very flexible can appeal to a range of people - those who may have retired, someone looking for experience or a possible career change and people who would like to meet people and see more of the county.
We'd be keen to hear from anyone who is interested so please call us on 01449 614271.
