The Mayor's Charities Appeal 2019

Keep up to date with our Mayor's Charities Appeal 2019 news page, including... 

• Walking the Test Way
• Volunteering Crew
• Sponsorship page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mayorofeastleigh

Temporary Absence
Maria, our Gardening Club Co-ordinator is currently not well and taking a break from her role as Gardening Club Co-ordinator. We have recruited Alison to fulfil the role temporarily.

Club will continue until the end of the season in its usual routine, apart from a closure on 2 September. We wish Maria a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her later in the year. 

For our Railway Enthusiast Members
Watercress Line Workshop Trip

Did you come to see Eastleigh Works in April this year with us?

If so, you have a priority place on our Watercress Line trip on Tuesday, 24 September, from 9.15 to 15.00.

We have a limited number of places on our minibus going to the Watercress Line workshops to meet the volunteers we met in April again, and to see what they are working on. Trip on steam train included.

Call the office after Sept 18 to express an interest, there may be some spare places.

West End Carnival 2019

The theme this year was Childrens’ Television and we chose Herge’s Adventures of Tintin. This allowed us to dress as adults in period costume and to assume different identities. False moustaches were the order of the day!

Despite the weather being chilly and a little wet, our spirits were not dampened and we received a great response from the Carnival crowd who were as enthusiastic and generous as ever.

Society Diary Dates

• September 2 - Gardening Club Closed
• September 2 - Chill Out Club resumes after summer break
• September 24 – Tuesday - Watercress Line Trip for railway buffs
• October 21 - Final session of Gardening Club - Monday

More Transformation at Grantham Green

Eastleigh Borough Council is continuing with the planned transformation of the park. The new features, a rock feature for climbing and additional stumps and wild flower turves for the stumpery, are in the south west corner of the park. They are just being installed and will be ready to view in a month or so.

Hampshire Advocacy Services

Hampshire County Council, NHS England and the Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Groups commission a range of advocacy services for children and adults across Hampshire. The current contract ends on 31 March 2020. They are seeking feedback on these services to inform the Service Specification for the new contract to begin from 01 April 2020.

They are seeking feedback from:

• People who have used advocacy services within Hampshire
• Carers/family or friends of those who have used advocacy
• Staff in partner agencies who have worked or are working with advocates supporting people using their services
• Members of the public with an interest in advocacy services
• Professionals with an interest in advocacy services

To have your say go to: https://healthhampshirecc.researchfeedback.net/s.asp?k=156268863153

Hampshire County Council 
Balancing the Budget consultation – closes July 17

By April 2021 the Council expect an £80 million budget shortfall, it is asking residents what action they want taken: more cuts, increasing Council tax, introducing charges, putting pressure on Government…? 

Have your say: https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget

Just when you thought austerity was over!

Here comes T21 (Transformation to 2021) – the latest round of savings from Hampshire County Council.

How much must be saved this time? More importantly, what will be left?

Orchard Close Respite Unit

The future is still uncertain

No final decision has yet been made about the future of Orchard Close Respite Centre. A number of Health & Social Care Committee meetings have been held with votes taken but for now it is simply being said that the Respite Centre will continue to operate until autumn 2020. Decision time on the future of the Centre will be in the autumn of this year. 
 
In the meantime there will continue to be discussion and consideration of the need for this Respite Centre, the amount that could be saved by its closure and other matters.  
 
This is disappointing for all the supporters of Orchard Close who took time to complete the Consultation document in the first place, organised powerful deputations to the Health & Social Care Committee, have lobbied members of the Committee and who have been hoping for a swift resolution.  
 
Knowing that the future is uncertain for a much loved and high quality facility, where your son or daughter is happy and receives excellent care, puts an additional strain on carers who have previously always relied upon its service. So many of the Council’s valued Respite Units have been closed in recent years and carers do not want to see Orchard Close added to that list. The move to short breaks in local shared lives placements is not something that most carers want. 

To read more about Orchard Close, visit our For your Information page...

Carers’ Group
West Hampshire Community Learning Disability Service (part of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust) is setting up a Carers’ Group to help improve the service provided by the Health Service to adults with a learning disability in our area.

They wish to develop their service and understand the importance of hearing carers’ views. The group is for informal carers (family/legal guardians). If you are interested in being in the group or receiving their minutes or newsletter contact the facilitators: Rachel Johnson or Martin Johnson. Email: hp-tr.whclds@nhs.net

Meetings for 2019

• April 26 Friday 10-12 at Hampshire House, Eastleigh
• July 19 Friday 10-12 at Totton Hub, Totton
• October 17 Thursday 10-12 at Hampshire House, Eastleigh.  

Newsflash!

Our Newsletter, Newsflash!, contains information about local and national initiatives and about our activities. Click on the newsletter tab to read previous newsletters.

Please visit the website regularly to read our latest news. If you have any comments on the content, or would like us to include something on the website, please do get in touch with Elaine Fish (Chair).

Our members receive a regular copy of our newsletter, Newsflash, either by email or post, and news of all new projects and opportunities. More about becoming a member...

Contact Us:

• Phone: 02380 483471
• Email: ebr.mencap@ntlworld.com
• Post: 56 Oaktree Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton, SO18 1PH