R E M A P

Some of you may have heard of this organisation who provide specially designed equipment to improve independence and help with daily activities. This free service is run by volunteers who either adapt an existing piece of equipment to suit individual needs or design a new product from scratch. The client’s needs are assessed by Occupational Therapists, and all products are risk assessed by Remap.

The range of ingenious and practical devices created or adapted by Remap are impressive and come highly recommended by clients and health professionals.† If anyone is interested in seeing a selection of devices, Remap’s project database can be found on http://www.remapedia.org.uk/ or ring Head Office on 08451300456.

We hope to arrange for a speaker to visit later in the year, so if anyone has any particular problems that they can’t quite get to grips with, Remap might be the answer!

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TELEPHONE SCAM

We have received the following information from another group and felt it would be worthwhile passing it on. The new telephone scam’ has arrived. A member received a call from a‘representative’ of BT, informing him that he was being disconnected because of an unpaid bill. The ‘representative’ demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn’t even fazed when told that the member was with Virgin Media – allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! The member asked for his name – the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very foreign accent, and a phone number 0800 152 0800. Obviously the chap realized our member wasn’t believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. The member asked ‘how’ and was told to hang up and try phoning someone – he would disconnect his phone to prevent this. AND HE DID! The member’s phone was dead – no engaged tone, nothing – until he phoned again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. The member asked how payment was to be made and he said credit card, there and then. The member said that he didn’t know how the chap had done it, but had absolutely no intention of paying him. He didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. The member dialed 1471 and phoned the fictitious 0800 number – not recognised. The member telephoned the police to let them know – and found out that he wasn’t the first to do so!! It has only just started apparently but it is escalating. Police advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it is real, so please make as many friends and family aware of this. This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number – it should have been 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple – he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out – but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it.) When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it could certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account.

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New Carers' Information Service: Carers Direct
The Department of Health has launched a new telephone advice line and online information service for carers in England. Carers Direct includes information on a range of topics including benefits and links to local services and support. Visit www.nhs.uk/carersdirect.

A freephone Carers Helpline is available seven days a week and the number is 0808 802 0202.

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BOOK BY PAUL MARTIN

Many of you may be interested in a book of poems by Paul Martin, called "No Rhyme or Reason". Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age 33. The book can be purchased online at ;

http://www.noreasonforparkinsons.com/

and it is promoted by the Parkinson's UK. Here is the Foreword, written by the Parkinson's UK's President, Jane Asher.

Foreword written by Jane Asher

This is a fascinating and important book: not only as a collection of poetry to be enjoyed and admired, but also as a telling, sometimes shocking, reminder of the fact that Parkinson's disease can strike at almost any age. The clichéd image of the elderly, trembling man as being typical of this complex, distressing disease is firmly dispatched in this candid expression of just what it can be like to be a young person living with Parkinson's.
I've been involved with the Parkinson's UK for many years now, and I am always struck by how especially tough it can be for those who are diagnosed at a young age. Anything that can help to spread awareness of the problems, thoughts and experiences of this younger age group with Parkinson's is to be welcomed, and Paul's terrific poems do just that, in a wonderfully creative and emotive way.
I'm sure his thoughts will resonate with many others and, at the same time, raise some much needed funds for Parkinson's UK, helping us to support more people living with the condition and to move ever closer to our ultimate goal of finding a cure.
All profits from the book are being donated to Parkinson's UK.

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Click here for a copy of Able Community Care letter

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Cambridgeshire Registered Trader Scheme  is to help people aged 60 years and over.  List of traders, CRB checked and they have passed the strict auditing process of Cambridgeshire Trading Standards.  The scheme should ensure that traders do a “fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay” and using this list of registered and checked traders could prevent older and vulnerable residents being taken for a ride by cowboy companies and avoid rogue traders.  Trading Standards/Registered Trader, Cambs County Council, PO Box 40, Cambridge CB3 6ZR -Telephone 01354 696677.   Website: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/trading/services/trader_scheme.htm

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Tax Relief for Disabled People  Items that have been designed solely for use by disabled people are zero rated.  Items such as orthopaedic beds or reclining chairs, however, are not zero rated.  Electrically adjustable beds, stair-lifts, lifting seat chairs are zero rated.  For more detailed information, contact HM Customs and Excise, telephone 0845 010 9000, referring to Notice 701/7 August 2002.

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New Legacy marketing materials By choosing to support the PDS in your Will, you will be helping to ensure that vital information, support and research activities can be continued. To make this easier, there is a new promotional leaflet which will give all the information you need for making or updating your Will. If you would like any more information on leaving a Legacy to the PDS or the leaflet, please call Jenna Mawji 020 7963 9306 or email

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Selling on eBay to benefit the PDS
Did you know that it is possible to sell items on eBay and donate a percentage of the sale price to the PDS? Or to choose what you want to buy from a list where all items benefit a listed charity. If you are an eBay customer, or are thinking of becoming one, try looking at this link: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity/index.html

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Outside Clinic – Eye Testing at Home  Lloyds Pharmacy advertise the services of the Outside Clinic, Community Opticians who will provide home eye testing anywhere in the UK to any individuals, entitled to a free NHS sight test*, who are unable to attend a High Street Optician without help or assistance. Full eye examinations and eye health checks are carried out by fully qualified optometrists. They also offer a complete spectacle dispensing service.  If you would like to receive  a leaflet phone 0800 85 44 77 directly to the OUTSIDE CLINIC community opticians.
*         You are entitled to a free eye test if you are:

• Over 60
• Under 16 or under 19 in full time education
• Registered blind or partially sighted
• Diagnosed with Diabetes or Glaucoma. Are 40 or over and have a direct relative with glaucoma (putting you at greater risk)
• Are prescribed a complex lens.
• Also if you or you partner receive-

Income support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. Working Tax credit and are named on a Tax credit NHS Exemption Certificate.
Child Tax Credit and are named on a Tax credit NHS Exemption Certificate.
You are named on a NHS certificate for full or part help with costs .
Pension Credit Guarantee credit.

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Watch out for the Approved' Decal!

If you have trouble getting in and out of stores and other
premises in the town, you'll soon find the St Ives Access Group (STAG) Approval Decals a welcome sight. STAG is about to launch its new scheme that demonstrates, for residents and visitors alike, that a business or service is accessible for customers with disabilities or it can provide its service in an alternative accessible way. This project also aims to help local businesses become aware of a group of customers they may be missing.
The decal is simple and effective and sends a positive message that the business welcomes all customers, and does that little bit extra for those who may need it.
STAG hope that the Approval Decal will be the must-have window dressing for all local stores, and that eventually all businesses and services will be able to say 'Yes, we are Approved'. In this period of economic downturn, extending a customer base is a sensible move for any business, and one which will benefit everyone. STAG is, of course, very willing to assist any business with advice on accessibility.
On another note, STAG has been made aware that some parking by Blue Badge holders is inconsiderate, and may even be dangerous at times. This is likely to be the behaviour of only a small minority of drivers, but it does bring all badge holders into disrepute. The Blue Badge is a wonderful asset but when misused it can cause inconvenience to all road users.
Some drivers complain that there are insufficient designated parking bays in the town, and this is an issue that STAG, together with the Town and District Councils, are fighting hard to rectify. Until the situation improves, STAG would ask all road users, able-bodied and Blue Badge holders, to park responsibly and not impede traffic flow or cause danger to other road users and pedestrians. Then we can all get to the shops, and other places we want to be, without hassle!

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Hunts Shopmobility Comes to St Ives
Is your mobility restricted? Now you can rent an electric scooter or manual wheelchair to help you get out and about in St Ives.
Shopmobility is an organisation that provides scooters and wheelchairs for who have mobilityproblems, whether temporary or permanent.
They have been running from Princes Street car park in Huntingdon since November 2006 and have just achieved charity status. Now they are now offering a satellite service in St Ives. People can join as a member for £15.00  per year, or use their equipment on a casual basis for £3.50 each trip.
In St Ives Shopmobility will be operating on a pre-booked only basis as there are a limited number of scooters. The scheme will be available on Mondays of each week between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm, and initially will be based at the bus station. If this service proves to be popular, availability will be increased, and a permanent base will be found.
For your interest, Shopmobility also take scooters to some outdoor events and this month were at the Food Festival at Wood Green.
For more information and to book a scooter or wheelchair please phone 01480 432793

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