Breakthrough’s Tribute to Jane Annis

Picture shows Jane Annis smiling

We were very sad and shocked to learn of the death of Breakthrough volunteer, client and women’s peer group member, Jane Annis, earlier this month. Jane has been a big part of Breakthrough for several years, working closely with so many of us on different projects.

Jane was a massive part of the Women’s Side by Side Peer Group, promoting it whenever she could – our You Tube channel includes a video she made earlier this year about the group. During lockdown, the women’s group grew very close, supporting each other through the very strange situation we all became part of, and that members were going through together. She was always there for others in the group – giving support, sharing information and making everyone laugh.

Most recently, Jane had been volunteering on our Pathway courses, balancing this with other voluntary work in a school, and with her self-employment.

An additional area where she contributed greatly was within our influencing work. Jane was a great advocate for disabled people’s rights. She would often get in touch with suggestions of causes to get involved in – as well as sharing information and opportunities that might be useful for other disabled people.

She was especially keen to make sure that voices were raised about unfair treatment in the benefits system. Just last month, she contributed to our response to the DWP’s health and disability consultation. Jane has been involved in several policy projects here over the years, including a ministerial meeting. Jane would often check out and give feedback to local venues about their access too, making suggestions on what they could change.

Another thing about Jane which really shone was her humour. She could make a joke about any situation. You could always tell when she was around because there would be so much laughter.

Recently, Jane had been working with Jess on our new Health Connecting Project. Jess said:

“Jane was a bundle of joy to work with. Although we only met a handful of times, we had calls almost every week which would last up to an hour. She would have me laughing telling me the stories about her mischievous cats, and of course her contagious giggle. The progress I saw from Jane through our conversations as well as the times we went out together was huge, she never gave herself enough credit for what she was able to accomplish. An example of this was when she joined an online confidence building course, LAB, for 2 weeks which was a massive commitment, other clients from Breakthrough were also on this and fed back about how much positive energy to brought to the group.

I am honoured to have worked with Jane. She was one of the first clients I spoke to and I have the utmost admiration for her.”

Vicky, who supports the women’s peer group, added;
“An absolute honour to work with and will be extremely missed by us all – especially that laugh. And there’s going to be a massive hole in Breakthrough. I feel like not only have we lost a client, we have lost a good friend as well”.

Jane will be missed, so very much, by all of us

Breaking Through Quarterly Newsletter Relaunched

We have relaunched our quarterly newsletter Breaking Through!

Breaking Through Newsletter in British Sign Language on Youtube.

Breaking Through – Autumn 2024 (Easy Read)

Breaking Through Quarterly Newsletter Text only

Breaking Through Newsletter October 2024

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Disabled People (Social Model of Disability) JSNA Report for Manchester

This is an updated Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Topic Paper on the Social Model of Disability.

This report was co-produced with Breakthrough UK and Manchester’s Population Health Team. It focuses on disabled adults, children and young people and is written through the lens of the Social Model of Disability. As such, the focus is on identifying and removing disabling barriers present in society, rather than on people’s impairments.

Nationally, disabled adults report much lower rates of good health overall compared with non-disabled adults and disabled people are four times more likely to die of preventable causes than the general population. Barriers to accessing healthcare are a significant reason for this. Published research looking at the experiences of disabled people in the UK shows that disabled people report worse access to healthcare – with transportation, cost and long waiting lists being the main barriers.

All of the health and wellbeing inequalities facing disabled people have been further exposed and exacerbated by COVID-19. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show disabled people have made up about three-fifths of COVID-related deaths in England and Wales.  Government commissioned research on the lived experience of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic published in September 2021 also highlighted disabling barriers emerging through the pandemic. More locally, the findings from the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel Big Disability Survey 2020 show that inequalities in mental wellbeing between disabled and non-disabled residents have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and 90% of respondents said that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health.

As well as summarising the evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled people, the topic report outlines some of the possible solutions to addressing the barriers to disabled people relating to COVID-19. These recommendations have been drawn up a panel of Manchester based disabled people facilitated by Breakthrough UK who provide guidance to system leaders in the city to remove disabling barriers, based on their own lived experience. These recommendations cover such areas as:

  • Information and advice around COVID-19

  • Transportation and travel

  • Digital inclusion

  • Employment and education

  • After care services (e.g. for Long Covid)

  • Shared learning and experience of removing barriers

The topic report also describes the wide range of work that is going on across the city to improve the lives of disabled people. This is complementary to the work to improve the health and wellbeing of all Manchester residents as set out in the Manchester Locality Plan. The ambition is for Manchester to be a fully accessible city that puts disabled people at the front of projects and creates an inclusive and co-productive approach as a default.

The final section of the topic report contains a series of ‘opportunities for action’ that should be considered by commissioners and strategic bodies, providers, VCSE organisations, disabled people and allies.

You can read the report on the Manchester JSNA website here:

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/7145/adults_and_older_people_jsna_-_disabled_people_social_model_of_disability

Our Tribute to Tracey Bell

Photo shows Tracey Bell, one of our long serving and popular member of staffEveryone at Breakthrough who knew her was devastated to learn of the death of a long serving and incredibly popular member of staff, Tracey Bell, on 5th August.

We all send our deepest condolences to Tracey’s family and friends.

Tracey firstly worked with us on the Greater Manchester Talent Match programme and then as a Community Connector in Manchester, until illness forced her to reluctantly stop.

All the staff and Board members at Breakthrough who worked with Tracey were blessed. The impact Tracey had with the young disabled people she worked with was enormous – yet she never believed you when you told her. She was phenomenal in group work too, always finding ways to gently encourage people to find their voice and speak their truth.

As a colleague she spread warmth and happiness, every email signed with a smiley face, well before emojis were available!

She was a committed member of staff who made the lives of others happier. She was a fantastic ally to disabled people. She empowered people, she loved people and people loved her. Breakthrough is a better place for having Tracey on board. We will all miss her deeply.

Tracey’s family have set up a Just Giving tribute page for her:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/traceyannebell?fbclid=IwAR3Qgy-oQ8jmJF7CPGxbhZDYZZ-NjfO_4kfkeHKGPgW83GPaAq7IP0hkQv0

If you would like emotional support following the very sad news about Tracey, please get in touch and we will let you know about organisations that can help.

Breakthrough’s Chair Jackie Driver Awarded an OBE

Congratulations to our Chair Jackie Driver who was awarded an OBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours. The Cabinet Office announced Jackie as a recipient of an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award (OBE) for “services to hearing impaired people, equality, diversity and inclusion”.

We are delighted to see that Jackie’s tenacious and creative advocacy for the rights and full inclusion of disabled people, women and LGBT+ communities in society – over many years – has been recognised in this way.

Jackie is also the Chair of the Deaf health charity Sign Health.  See their article on Jackie’s OBE here in both British Sign Language and English.

Covid-19 and the rights of disabled people

Covid-19 and the rights of disabled people

Open Statement
from Disabled People’s 
Organisations and Allies
– February 2021

Coronavirus has hit disabled people hard. 60% of deaths from
coronavirus have been those of Disabled People.

Disabled People have struggled to access healthcare, social
care and food and many have been left without the £20 weekly uplift given to
those on Universal Credit.

We ask Government and the NHS to recognise the enormous
impact of coronavirus on the lives of Disabled People.  

We urge Government and NHS to respond more urgently to
protect disabled people from coronavirus.

We ask that the needs of Disabled People are met in more
personalised and accessible ways.

In particular, we urge that action be taken to ensure that:

·
The letter to 1.7 million new shielders and 2.2
million existing shielders is sent in plain English and accessible formats and
that sources of information and support are provided both digitally and
non-digitally.

·
Everyone who has a learning disability, autistic people or people who have a cognitive impairment is included in priority group 6, to
ensure early vaccination.

·
Disabled People of working age living in
residential accommodation or hospitals are included in priority group 6, to
ensure early vaccination.

·
Disabled People know that they can contact their
doctor for advice on whether they should be included in priority vaccination group
6.

·
Everyone with a learning disability, autistic people or people with a cognitive impairment has their health records checked, to ensure
that any wrongful Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Notices are removed.

Signed by:

Ability Consultancy (NW)

Breakthrough UK

British Association for Supported Employment

Business Disability Forum

DIAL West Cheshire

Disability Equality (NW)

Disability North

Disability Positive

Disability Rights UK

Dyspraxia Foundation

Learning Disability England

Living Options Devon

Mencap

MS Society

Sense

Scope

SPECTRUM Centre for Independent Living

Together Trust

TSSA – Disability Working Group

WECIL

Wheels for Wellbeing

Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living

WSH BME Network

Wearing face masks and what to do if we are exempt

Wearing face masks and what to do if we are exempt

We must wear face masks now in certain places in public.

For the past few months we have been asked to wear face masks when travelling on public transport or if we have to go to a medical appointment in person. 

The rule was then extended to when we’re out shopping and other areas.

While it is important to wear a face mask to try and stop the spread of Covid 19, we know that some of us can’t wear a face mask for health reasons.

Who is exempt from face masks and coverings?

If you have an impairment or health condition that make wearing face masks difficult you don’t have to wear one.

Use this link to find out where we have been asked to wear a face mask or covering, and exemptions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own 

 

Useful resources if you are exempt from wearing a face mask or covering

We’re providing this letter and card to use if you want to have something with you when you’re in public places, and you are not wearing a mask.

Download the letter and card in Word through this link:

BUK_face_mask_exemption_letter_and_card.docx

Other examples of exemption cards here:

 

If you are travelling around Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester has produced this exemption card you can also use.

Download the TfGM exemption card through this link.

20-0399_Covid-19_Journey_assist_card_(005).pdf

If you live anywhere in Greater Manchester you can ask for support if you have been affected by Covid 19, from the Community Hub in your area.

Find out more through this link to our Community Hubs page:

https://breakthrough-uk.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-coronavirus-information-for-all-greater-manchester-boroughs

Find out more about Covid 19 support in general through this link to our information page:

https://breakthrough-uk.co.uk/news/useful-links-for-updated-information-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic


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No Going Back Report launch

No Going Back Report launch

“Invest in a crucial sector or risk losing it”, say Manchester’s voluntary sector leaders

Leaders of Manchester-based charities have shared their experiences of the Covid-19 crisis and their thoughts for the future in a new report produced by Macc, Manchester’s local voluntary and community sector support organisation. 

Breakthrough’s CEO Michele Scattergood is featured with our contribution: “Powerful and Loud Again – Not ‘Vulnerable’!” 

Titled No Going Back,  the report brings together the experiences of 22 local voluntary sector leaders who shine a light on the critical role that the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has played during the response to the Covid-19 crisis. As well as reflecting on the lessons learned during the crisis, the leaders make the case for change going forward and highlight the unique opportunity society has to make things better in the future.

Mike Wild, chief executive of Macc said “Manchester’s 3,000+ voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations have responded amazingly to the crisis. They have remade services so people can stay connected and supported during lockdown, worked to ensure nobody is left without access to food, shelter, care, wellbeing support, mental health support, creative activities and provided support around pre-existing matters which had nothing directly to do with Covid-19.

“The sector’s resilience has been tested in ways few of us have ever experienced. That this has taken place at the same time as a sudden drop in fundraising and other activities which generate income for VCSE organisations, speaks to their dedication to make a difference when they are most needed. It is estimated there has been a loss of over £10bn in the sector across the country, yet this has not deterred Manchester VCSE organisations from responding.

“There is a crucially important lesson to be drawn from the voluntary sector’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. That is that these organisations are part of the resilience of our communities and we need them to be there – and never more so than in a crisis. No Going Back tells their story. Manchester’s marvellously diverse vibrant, messy, gumption-filled, voluntary, community and social enterprise sector has risen to the challenge of the moment and we must build on this, invest in it or risk losing it altogether.”

No Going Back highlights the determination, passion and wealth of policy ideas from the voluntary sector and Macc hopes that it will influence key decision-makers and commissioners as they respond and shape policies in the post-Covid landscape.

Read the full report in this link

No_Going_Back_Report_Final.pdf 


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Impact Review

Read more about the things we do at Breakthrough UK – the differences we make and the positive things we do for disabled people in Greater Manchester. Read More >



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