Tribute to DDRG member Tony Jenkins

Tribute to DDRG member Tony Jenkins

The Disability Design Reference Group would like to pay tribute to a much loved member and friend, Tony Jenkins, who has recently died.

Tony had been a member of the DDRG for four years, and brought with him a wealth of expertise both from a professional background in Marine Engineering, to his lived experience of being a disabled person using public transport regularly.

Tony shared our values and passion for creating a public transport infrastructure that is accessible for all.

At each meeting and site visit, he contributed views with careful consideration on project design features that would make travelling as a disabled person more accessible. His suggestions and comments have led to changes and improvements on tram stops and bus shelters across Greater Manchester.

Tony was an avid motor sport fan since childhood and enjoyed fishing with friends.

He volunteered extensively with Royal National Society for Blind People and Action for Blind People Management advisory group.

Customer Experience Manager at TfGM Lucy Howard said, “ Tony was a valuable member of the DDRG and provided considered and expert feedback on projects and schemes over the years. 

“His input had a real impact on design and I know when I’m travelling on the network I’ll look and see areas where his feedback has made a positive change and remember him.”

DDRG facilitator Andy Walker said, “The news of Tony’s bereavement has brought great sadness to our group and the friendships within It.

“Working with Tony in every way was a delight, not only was he a well loved character his attention to detail, desire to support his community and others within the group and his detailed level of technical understanding were quite simply outstanding. My deepest sympathies go to his nearest and dearest loved ones, he will be sadly missed in the group.


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Breakthrough UK Statement on Black Lives Matter

Breakthrough UK Statement on Black Lives Matter

Breakthrough UK Statement on Black Lives Matter

(download an easier words version here)

Breakthrough UK is a Manchester based disabled people’s organisation. We are led by disabled people, and we support other disabled people to work and live independently.

Breakthrough stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement protesting the appalling murders of George Floyd and others, institutional racism and wider injustices faced by BAME communities in the UK and overseas.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all citizens and to working collaboratively to end all forms of systemic oppression and intersectional discrimination.

We recognise the particular exclusion, invisibility and multiple disadvantage faced by BAME disabled people. We commit to addressing these and dismantling privilege within our own working practices.

Within the co-design of Breakthrough’s projects and influencing priorities, we will continue to work alongside BAME disabled people to understand their lived experience – not only of disabling barriers, but also of racism and structural inequality, and how these intersect.

We will continue to learn and reflect on our own need to change as an organisation – our own attitudes and assumptions – identifying where else we can address exclusion and contribute to lasting social change.

Actions we will take:

  1. We will be bold and visible in challenging racism in all its forms.
  2. We will collaborate with partners across all sectors to tackle intersectional and institutional discrimination.
  3. We will strengthen our links with BAME organisations to understand and act on key issues.
  4. We will support the capacity of self-organised BAME-led groups of disabled people locally wherever we can.
  5. We will continue to promote the concept of Independent Living of disabled people in a diverse cultural context.
  6. We will promote greater representation of BAME disabled people across all our communication channels and within our evidence base for influencing change.
  7. We will better understand our staff make up and development opportunities so that we can consider targeted stretch opportunities and coaching for BAME and disabled staff.
  8. We will assist all our stakeholders – including staff, volunteers, clients, Board and funders – to learn through accessible information how to identify and eliminate racist and other discriminatory practices.

Please get in touch with us with your feedback:

Email: admin@breakthrough-uk.co.uk

Office Phone: 0161 234 3950

Text Service: 07939 943383


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Covid-19 Survey Report from Henshaws

Covid-19 Survey Report from Henshaws

We have been asked by Henshaws to share with you their report on a survey they did with 955 visually impaired people on Covid-19.

You can download the survey through the following links, which also has an accessible version available:

Download the Covid-19 Henshaws Survey Report in PDF.

Download the Covid-19 Henshaws Survey Report in Word.

They started this survey at the beginning of the lockdown as they knew the restrictions that were put in place would have consequences for people already facing challenges in their everyday lives due to sight loss.

Key findings in the final report show:

  • The overwhelming majority of respondents had not been contacted by their local authority sensory team during the early stages of the pandemic.
  • 41% of respondents had not received any of the public health messaging about Covid-19 in a format which is accessible to them.
  • One quarter of respondents had been informed they are at very high risk from Covid-19 (extremely vulnerable and should be shielding).
  • There is considerable variation across Greater Manchester with regard to the support people with sight loss received during this time.

Henshaws wanted to share the findings in their final report with our partners across the health and social care sectors in the hope that we can form an integrated approach, which fully includes and recognises charities, to ensure support is in place to reduce the risks of the longer-term impacts this could have on our community.


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GM Big Disability Survey results reveal pandemic has had major negative impact on mental health

GM Big Disability Survey results reveal pandemic has had major negative impact on mental health

During April and May we took part in the GM Big Disability Survey along with many other Disabled People’s Organisations across Greater Manchester.

The aim of the survey was to find out what the main issues are faced by disabled people during the Covid 19 pandemic and lockdown.

Standard and easy read formats were circulated and the survey received 936 respondants.

The main findings include:

90% of respondents said that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental
health

80% of respondents were not included in the official shielded group, yet 57% of those
had support needs.

56% of respondents had experienced some difficulty sourcing Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)

62% of respondents have experienced one or more health visit being stopped due to
Covid-19.

Disabled people are less satisfied with their care plans since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Prior to the outbreak, 58% felt satisfied or very satisfied and this has reduced to 35%
after Covid-19.

A third of disabled people believe that their local authority is not doing anything significant
whilst 76% of disabled people are dissatisfied with the help provided by the government.

Read the full results ion this link 

https://gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/gm-big-disability-survey-covid19/

Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel has now made a list of recommendations based on responses.

These include recognising digital exclusion as a key issue during this pandemic, and that digital inclusion is an
urgent priority and that accessible information be implemented and produced consistently.


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Our Tribute to Cllr Sue Murphy

Our Tribute to Cllr Sue Murphy

We are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Cllr Sue Murphy CBE, who died on Tuesday. She has been the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council for the last ten years.

Sue was a very strong supporter of Breakthrough. She championed equality, social justice and the voluntary and community sector. Her death is a great loss to Manchester. We also remember her strong and moving words about the impact of our late founder, Lorraine Gradwell, whom she described as a role model.

In a statement yesterday, Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said: “Today Manchester has lost a great socialist and public servant who has dedicated her life to social justice and making the city, and the world, a better and fairer place for everybody – but especially those with the greatest needs,”

Our Chief Executive Michele Scattergood said: “Such terrible news. Sue was a great woman. Principled and strong, yet gentle and caring. Manchester is a better place because of Sue”

Our thoughts are with her family and colleagues.


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Covid 19 and the rights of disabled people – statement from disabled people’s organisations and allies

Covid 19 and the rights of disabled people - statement from disabled people's organisations and allies

We are signed up to the following statement:

The NHS is built on the principle that we are each equal in dignity and worth. It expresses our commitment to protect one another’s right to life and to health, no matter who we are.

We recognise that the NHS faces unprecedented pressures. We know that its staff will have to make difficult decisions about who gets treatment and care and who doesn’t. We understand that they will have to judge whether people will benefit and we know that people’s existing health will be taken into account.

However, we have read about cases that have made us feel worried that the principles on which the NHS are built are sometimes not being upheld. We are concerned that the rights of disabled people, of all ages, as set out in the Human Rights Act (1998), the Mental Capacity Act (2005), the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act (2000), the Equality Act (2010) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) are not always being upheld. NHS staff normally use these laws to help make decisions about people’s treatment. In this crisis it’s more important than ever that all NHS staff follow them.

To ensure that this happens, we believe that it is critical that everyone involved is guided by the following principles:

  • Our individual chance of benefiting from treatment should we have Covid19 must not be influenced by how our lives are valued by society.
  • Where we have existing health conditions or impairments that are unrelated to our chance of benefiting from treatment, they must not play any part in decision-making regarding our equal right to access such treatment.
  • The fact that we might have significant levels of social care and support needs, or that we may do so in future as a result of the pandemic, should not make health staff think that we will not benefit from treatment.
  • We have the right to be fully involved in decisions about our own lives, including life and death decisions. Decisions should never be made without our involvement, or consideration of our best interests. There is no justification for policies based on age or learning disability that do not treat each of us with respect and as individuals. 
  • We all, and our advocates, have the right to know about decisions that may be made about us that will affect us.
  • Guidelines on the assessment, provision, and evaluation of treatment and care provided to individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic must be developed in collaboration with disabled people’s organisations and representatives from human rights bodies.

We cherish the NHS and the values that it represents. We stand ready to do whatever we can to support it to stay true to its founding principles in the difficult days, weeks and months ahead.

For more on this, including responses from senior NHS representatives, see the following story from the Disability News Service: 

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/coronavirus-joint-action-from-disability-movement-secures-nhs-treatment-pledge/

For a full list of signatories to this statement and to add your name, go to the Disability Rights UK website at:

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2020/april/covid-19-and-rights-disabled-people


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Volunteers Week at Breakthrough

Volunteers Week at Breakthrough

Volunteers’ Week 2020 

We are lucky to have volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds working with us at Breakthrough.

Some volunteers are clients on one of our services, and are volunteering as a way of getting valuable work experience, or to add something extra to their CV.

Michael’s Volunteering Story

Michael is someone who is a both a client and volunteer, here he explains how he’s getting the most out of his role on our Independent Living and Pre-employment Pathways courses.

  

He said, “I enjoy helping people and it helps me. I have met wonderful people and by speaking with others I am always learning. It’s positive finding out it’s not just me that’s like that, it’s like a club of people that comes together and empathises with each other.”

“Makes me feel like I’ve done something worthwhile, satisfying.”

Pathways Co-ordinator Rhonda said, “Michael has been a huge asset as a Pathways volunteer. He is extremely creative and uses this talent to bring a new element into the sessions. Last year we ran an Independent Living Pathways for Proud and Loud Arts, and Michael used his drama and performance experience and skills to take the lead and create a number of roleplaying learning activities, which was hugely successful!”

Michael completed Social Model of Disability Training and commented that at Breakthrough “you’re spoken with, not spoken to and people (volunteers and participants) feel they have an interest in Breakthrough because they can have a positive input.”

Tracy’s volunteering story

Tracy found out about Breakthrough while volunteering in Salford’s Working Class Movement Library, and joined our Democracy Disability and Devolution project.

 During the women’s project she shared her personal experience of barriers, for example to get a diagnosis in order to get benefits, that “helped me get on my feet”. Tracy spoke about mental health issues, explaining these are nothing to be ashamed of, “it’s not forever”.

Tracy is a valued volunteer who is friendly and helpful, with an honest, straightforward approach and a great sense of humour. She has also supported Breakthrough’s Pathways to Independent Living and Pre-Employability courses.

Rhonda, Pathways Co-ordinator said, “Tracy has a real skill in communicating and encouraging our Pathway group participants to get involved in having their say. Often participants can be quite quiet particularly at the start of a new course, but Tracy takes the time to befriend individuals and gradually we see people coming out of their shell. As a result we usually end up having some lively discussions, with every participant being confident to say what they think!”

Katrina’s Volunteering Story

Volunteer Katrina is indispensable to us and has done 24 volunteer sessions, supporting several Breakthrough staff with various tasks including:

Identifying opportunities, researching activities and groups that other disabled people may wish to take part in and sharing these with staff

Accompanying isolated disabled people to weekly activities. Katrina supports a man to get to and from a sports club each week.

In the office she supports with photocopying, answering calls, shredding, printing and typing up notes.

She has put together packs of leaflets to promote Breakthrough’s projects, recorded client feedback (data entry for project monitoring and evaluation).

Contacted VCSE and other groups to promote a health screening project – and much more!

Katrina has developed skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, excel, internet, and using the guillotine, laminator etc.

She said, “It’s good, I like everything, I love working in a team, you show me what to do and I get it and get it done, we’re always at it!

You can read about Volunteers Week through this link https://volunteersweek.org/


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A tribute to Barry Edwards Manchester People First

A tribute to Barry Edwards Manchester People First

It is with great sadness that we have heard the news our friend and colleague at Manchester People First, Barry Edwards, has died following a long illness last weekend.  

Barry was a warm and witty person, who we worked with on projects and in groups. He was always happy to share his experiences and make suggestions for different ways of working. 

Barry, together with his partner Joanne were members of the Our Manchester Disability Plan Partnership Board alongside Breakthrough. Barry played a very important part in the developing the plan.

Chair of Breakthrough Jackie Driver said, “It is very sad news, Barry should be remembered for the great work he has done across the city.”

Breakthrough CEO Michele Scattergood said, “It is really sad news, and Barry was a real asset to all.” 


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Brilliant donation of Suffragette statue sales a boost to our work

Brilliant donation of Suffragette statue sales a boost to our work

Breakthrough is delighted to have been chosen as one of two organisations to benefit from the sales of 12 limited edition Emmeline Pankhurst bronze portraits.

Sculptor Hazel Reeves decided to choose us as one of the beneficiaries of the sales, along with the charity Women Asylum Seekers Together.

Hazel said, “I chose Breakthrough UK – an organisation run and controlled by disabled people – for their excellent work to make society fairer and more accessible, including for disabled women.”

A year ago, Hazel unveiled her life sized bronze statue “Our Emmeline” in St Peter’s Square, Manchester City Centre, and it has since then been visited by crowds of people remembering the life changing difference the Suffragettes made to women all over the country.

Breakthrough Chief Executive Michele Scattergood said, “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Pankhurst portrait sculpture sales.

“Twenty years ago Breakthrough was born out of a group of disabled activists fighting for change in employment rights. We are proud of our activist roots and so the Pankhurst and suffrage movement is close to our hearts.”

If you would like to buy one of the limited edition bronze portraits, this is how!

Email sculptor Hazel Reeves at hazel [at] hazelreeves.com

Or visit www.hazelreeves.com and use the contact form.


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Coronavirus- Support from Breakthrough

Coronavirus - Support from Breakthrough

Due to the situation with Covid 19, we are not currently carrying out face to face client meetings and our group programmes are on hold.

However, we are continuing to work with clients remotely via phone, video calls and online methods where we can. If you are already a client, we will be in touch and arrange regular catch ups by phone or other methods .

Please call us if you need us on 0161 234 3950 or text us on 07939 943383

We will be updating our website very soon with details of sources of support during this difficult time. Links to easy read docs and BSL videos will be on the same page

Many thanks for your understanding. Stay well and keep in touch on 0161 234 3950 or email admin@breakthrough-uk.co.uk.


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