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We’ve heard from Deaf Ex Mainstreamers (DEX) that they are starting their Calderdale Deaf Youth Hub again on Monday 26th April. The key details are below: Remember, their YouTube channel is great for BSL versions of latest …more

Transport for the North (TfN) is launching a new research programme to understand the links between transport and social exclusion in the North of England. As part of this, we are asking charities that work with communities …more

As part of Disability Horizons’ 10th birthday celebrations, the disability organisation asked their community of readers what they’d like to see improve or change for disabled people in the next 10 years. Ideas include better …more

Some of the rules on what you can and cannot changed on 12 April. From 12 April: non-essential retail can reopen personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile …more

From the ONS (Office For National Statistics) In February 2021, among people aged 16 years and over in Great Britain: A larger proportion of disabled people (78%) than non-disabled people (69%), said they were worried (very or …more

18/03/21 Are direct payments working the way they should be? Informed by the experiences of people with direct payments during the Covid-19 pandemic, this report looks at how they could work better, what the issues are and how …more

Halifax Society for the Blind (HSB)are asking, Have you experienced Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)?  CBS is a common condition among people who have lost, or are losing, their sight.  It causes people to see things that aren’t …more

From the BMJ Website Investigations by EU and UK regulators into reports of unusual blood clots after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine have concluded that these are a “possible” and “extremely rare” side effect. …more

There are currently only 1,500 Changing Places toilets across the UK. Could you explain what the lack of a Changing Places toilet has limited or stopped you or the person you support from doing? This survey will help to put …more

The Centre for Social Justice’s Disability Commission’s detailed submission to the National Strategy for Disabled People consultation, Now is the Time, has been released. Summary This year (2021) will mark 26 years since the …more

UK housing laws must be strengthened to ensure that new builds are suitable for Disabled people. The latest calls come in a letter to The Daily Telegraph from charity chiefs, including Disability Rights UK CEO Kamran Mallick, as …more

Take a look at the upcoming courses and regular workshops and groups from Healthy Minds Calderdale. For the present everything is run over zoom with joining instructions emailed before the sessions. Workshops, Courses and Groups …more

Now that the Census date has passed, official Census branded letters are being sent to people who have not yet completed their Census. Census field officers may also be used and may knock on doors offering help and encouragement …more

Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing from 9 April 2021, the Government has announced. Everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free …more

This is the Government’s latest information on the Access to Work scheme, which aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. Changes to Access to Work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Read …more

This Government guidance is for anyone who provides unpaid care, such as friends or family, to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults. It has been updated in line with the latest easing of lockdown regulations. The …more

The government has released new public transport hate crime data which shows that anti-disability hate crime is on the rise on public transport in the UK The data shows that between 2014 and 2016, the numbers of disability …more

The Government’s Department For Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that, “in line with the latest public health guidance and adhering to strict safety protocols”, it is to begin reintroducing face-to-face assessments for …more

Research by disability charity Scope has found that 75% of Disabled people do not want to stop shielding. Shielding officially ended on 31 March, but many Disabled people have fears that they will not be able to return to safe …more

Heath Campus – Update After exceptionally challenging times over the past year, we are delighted to announce that we can welcome some of you back to classes at Heath Campus after the Easter break.  We will also continue …more

Here is the latest ebulletin from Lead the Way which as usual incudes lots of useful information and links. Click on the image to download the pdf newsletter. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading...…more

NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group is working in partnership with Calderdale Council, Healthwatch Calderdale and VSI Alliance, and would like to know your views and experiences of the Covid-19 vaccines. If you have …more

Welcome to our March Newsletter Welcome to the latest edition of the Get Yourself Active newsletter from Disability Rights UK!  This is our round up of what the Get Yourself Active team and our partners have been working on over …more

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the government to prioritise people for the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine who are over 16 and living with adults who have weakened immune systems, such as …more

Coronavirus and clinically extremely vulnerable people in England: 18 January to 30 January 2021. This is a Government report which offers analysis of clinically extremely vulnerable people in England during the coronavirus …more

Here are Healthy Minds Calderdale’s latest Workshops, Courses & Groups running for the period April – June 2021 To book or for further details: Email: Nicky@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk Or call: 01422 345154 For wider …more

Calderdale Council put out a regular e-zine newsletter about their bin collections and waste management. The latest edition, which includes bin collection days/date over Easter and May bank holidays, plus full details of what you …more

This is the regular newsletter from the Halifax Society for the Blind. Find out more about them and sign up to the newsletter and many of their activities via their website. Welcome to the March edition of the Halifax Society for …more

Some of the Government’s Coronavirus rules on what you can and cannot do change on 29 March. However, many restrictions remain in place. You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have formed a …more

The UK Government has launched a plan to prevent, mitigate and respond to the mental health impacts of the pandemic during 2021 to 2022. Here’s their brief introduction to the plan, along with a link to the full document. …more

Disability Rights UK’s Newsletter – 26 March 2021 Government continues to fail Disabled election candidates Questions have been asked this week in the House of Lords about why there isn’t a Government fund to support …more

A blind woman has won a legal case which secures fundamental promises of changes to how the Government communicates with people during the pandemic. Sarah Leadbetter, who is registered blind, was due to have a judicial review …more

Almost four years after the Grenfell Tower fire in which 72 people died, including Disabled people, the Government has still not implemented the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations relating to the safety of Disabled people in …more

The Government has released more information about their newly named Supporting Families programme to support some of the most vulnerable families in society. Successful programme to support vulnerable families launches its next …more

The Government’s Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has extended its Video Relay Service (VRS) for British Sign Language (BSL) users to connect with all service lines. This service allows customers to make an inbound …more

From this week disabled people could have a video assessment as the technology is rolled out across England, Scotland and Wales. People who have a Work Capability Assessment for Universal Credit or New-Style Employment and …more

Health services are observing a rise in Coronavirus infections in people shortly after they have received their first vaccination, suggesting that many people are letting their guard down before the vaccine has taken effect. …more

This article is taken from the BMJ website The covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated access problems in general practice and patients have reported finding it difficult to book appointments and access treatment, a report by …more

On Thursday 6 May 2021, residents in Calderdale can vote in the local elections and the first West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral election. Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by …more

Here is the latest newsletter from Calderdale Council View this email in your browserFacebookTwitter On Thursday 6 May 2021, residents in Calderdale can vote in the local elections and the first West Yorkshire Combined Authority …more

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Are you experienced in teaching new behaviours? Do you feel you can dedicate 14 months to training a new puppy? Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you! The Guide Dogs organisation is looking for Puppy Raisers in …more

Article from the BMJ website Interim analysis of a phase III trial has found that the vaccine produced by Oxford University and AstraZeneca was 79% effective at preventing symptomatic covid-19 and 100% effective at preventing …more

The Government have launched a new benefits checking tool to help people who think they might be eligible for Universal Credit. It takes a few minutes, and doesn’t require any detailed information, nor does it process or store …more

Shielding to end from 1 April More than 3.79 million clinically extremely vulnerable people in England are to be told they are no longer advised to shield from Thursday 1 April 2021. People on the shielded patient list will be …more

More than 3.7 million vulnerable people in England will no longer have to shield from the coronavirus from 1 April. The Government is sending a letter to all of them explaining this decision and updating advice on preventing the …more

The vaccine rollout in West Yorkshire is continuing apace, with latest figures (5 March) showing that 683,801 people have now been vaccinated. This is almost a third of all adults in the region and reflects the huge efforts of …more

This is the latest (March 18th) advice from the Government for people who have been shielding. Shielding advice is being paused nationally from 31 March. From 1 April you are no longer advised to shield, but you must continue to …more

Guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable is changing from 1 April and the Government have sent the following letter to everyone who is on their shielding list.  On 22 February the Government published a roadmap out of the …more

More than 3.7 million vulnerable people in England will no longer have to shield from the coronavirus from 1 April. It comes as the numbers of Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions have declined for the past couple of weeks. …more

I am worried that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine isn’t safe as I’ve heard some countries are stopping using it – should I still have it? It’s a question that’s been concerning some people in recent days! Here’s …more

Calderdale Council, as part of the Vision 2024 project, want your views on your local parks and are running a survey to gather them. The purpose of this survey is to help them understand how their work is impacting …more

Calderdale Better Living Service is now taking referrals for people who would like support with weight management, healthy eating, physical activity or cutting down on alcohol. The service is now back open, after having had to …more

A couple of new consultations which were launched on 15 March regarding proposed improvements for walking and cycling in West Halifax and North Halifax. Calderdale Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined …more

Monday 15 March 2021 saw the government publish Bus Back Better, their long-term national bus strategy for England outside London. It appears to include an important commitment to people with disabilities. Download Strategy …more

The Government has published a series of advice documents for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support. Here are …more

From the Macular Society website The government has introduced new improvements to the home testing programme to make them more accessible to those living with sight loss. Charities in the sight loss sector, including the Macular …more

The government has announced that the law will be changed to allow BSL interpreters into the jury deliberation room. Up until now, BSL has been permitted in court but not in the jury room. This has  meant that in order to …more

This is the latest newsletter from the excellent Disability Rights Uk website Budget 2021: “Outrageous” that over 1.9 million disabled people on legacy benefits refused £20 week financial lifeline In last week’s Budget 2021, …more

Coronavirus can affect anyone. The Covid-19 vaccines will help protect you against the disease and reduce the risk of you becoming seriously ill. Here’s what you need to know: • Like all vaccines, the Covid-19 vaccines teach your …more

Professional’s Update March 2021 Welcome to the Professional’s Update from Deafblind UK. If you have any feedback about this email, or if there is anything specific that you would like to read about then please …more

On Thursday 6 May 2021, Calderdale residents will be voting for their Local Government Councillors and for the first time, a Combined Authority Mayor for West Yorkshire. In some areas there will also be Parish/Town Council …more

This is part of a larger government paper on attitudes to and take-up of the Coronavirus vaccine by various sections of the UK population. This is the specific info on people with disabilities – you can read the full report …more

This is the Government’s latest information for eligible adults on COVID-19 vaccination in a BSL format: The COVID-19 vaccination for older adults leaflet is available to download. Paper copies are also available to order. …more

The government has published guidance that explains the additional steps you should consider to reduce the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 for people who live in: accommodation with shared facilities, such as a block of …more

Here’s a campaign to improve access to train travel for people with disabilities: For far too long disabled access has been overlooked or briefly looked at but with a “tick box” mentality. I want to campaign to …more

Here’s a quick reminder from our friends at Calderdale council of a few of the mental health resources available to everyone in Calderdale – also visit our Mental Health Page for lots more options and places to turn. …more

The evidence is clear that obesity is a risk factor for severe covid-19 disease and death. Writing on the BMJ website, Meera Senthilingam asks what this increased urgency has done to boost action against this other epidemic …more

From March 9 the NHS will begin texting people inviting them to book their life saving COVID jab, making it quicker and more convenient to get an appointment. Almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and 40,000 unpaid carers will …more

As children return to school and mix, it’s inevitable the virus will spread, so it’s important that those of us that aren’t school children, do all we can to prevent the Virus spreading. This means staying at home as much as …more

SUCH (Supporting Unpaid Carers at Home) is a free online session that has been funded by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Personalised Care Programme. The session lasts for 45 minutes and is designed to …more

The Act F.A.S.T. campaign is a great reminder that stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK – and can change lives in an instant. Yet the pandemic has seen a significant fall in stroke admissions and 1,413 excess deaths from …more

Here’s the top news stories from the excellent Disability rights UK website – Doctors assumed Disabled people not capable of discussing care A report by the British Institute of Human Rights said that doctors assumed …more

The government has announced a new £30 million fund to install more Changing Places toilets in existing buildings, which will benefit more than 250,000 disabled people throughout England. The new investment was announced on …more

Key points from this week’s Budget announcement Extension of furlough and support for the self-employed The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of September. Employees will continue to receive 80% of …more

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19 – this is the government’s information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in …more

March 8th is the first date when changes are made to the lockdown rules in England. It marks the first steps on the government’s easing of Coronavirus restrictions which it published as the ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring …more

Devices to monitor oxygen levels and pulse rate are being offered to those patients in Calderdale that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 and suffer from breathlessness or other associated symptoms. Patients …more

Below are pdf and text versions of the latest edition of Look Out, the newsletter of Halifax Society For The Blind (HSB)! In this issue, you can find out about their growing group activities, new products or services, and …more

Lockdown Easing Calderdale Council is working through the implications for its services following the announcement from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, advising how lockdown will be eased across the country. Read the Leader of …more

At least 150,000 people with learning disabilities are to get the Coronavirus vaccine sooner than originally planned – the news was released by Public Health England yesterday (24 Feb 2021) – here’s what they …more

Calderdale Council is continuing to support those most at risk of becoming seriously ill if they catch COVID-19, as the national shielding programme is extended. The government has announced that an additional 1.7million people …more

Event: Included or Excluded? – a discussion about breaking the silence for LBT Disabled women Wednesday 10th March, 2-4.30pm by Zoom This is a round table for Disabled women who identify as Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Transgender (LBT) …more

Use this NHS service to book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or manage your appointments. Who can use this service You can only use this service if any of the following apply: you are aged 64 or over you have previously …more

From 8 March, some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will be changing: you will be allowed to spend time in outdoor public spaces for recreation on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support …more

Disability Horizons is a an online lifestyle magazine for people with disabilities. Here’s their latest newsletter: Filter vs medical vs fabric face masks – choose the best for you With the new variants of Covid-19 …more

Today, Monday 22 February 2021, the Government has released its first detailed and timetabled plan to release the Coronavirus-combatting restrictions the country has been under since 4 January. Here is a summary of the main …more

Unfortunately, due to staffing issues Calderdale Libraries are having to make some changes to the days their hub libraries are able to open. Central Library Tuesday to Saturday (closed Mondays) Brighouse Library – Mon, Tues, …more

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 …more

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Click here to view the latest Lower Valley Friday Flyer… The Lower Valley Friday Flyer is a Calderdale-based email newsletter that comes out every week. We subscribe to it and share some of the news it contains, but we thoroughly …more

If you are 16 or over, female or male and have experienced any form of Domestic Abuse, Calderdale Staying Safe are here to help you. They have diverse, experienced and skilled staff, female and male that can assist you and where …more

The government has introduced a number of new improvements to the home testing programme to make it even easier to get tested. People who do not have access to the internet can now order PCR home testing kits over the phone by …more

19 Feb 2021: The new UK COVID-19 variant that is known to spread more easily is now the dominant strain in Calderdale, with 98% of cases now being identified as this type. The current rate of infection in the borough is 182 per …more

Important guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people from the government, 18 Feb 2021 Link: Other language versions, plus easy read, BSL and large print versions available here We are writing to you as you have …more

Workshops, Courses & Groups from Calderdale mental health specialists Healthy Minds, coming up in March 2021 Exploring Personal Values (two-part course) Tuesday 16th & 30th March, 11am-12.30pm When we are connected to …more

Consultation description This call for evidence launches a technical review of provision of toilets for men and women. Women often have to face excessive queues for toilets or don’t have access to appropriate facilities that meet …more

Here’s a really useful selection of detailed information on the most common concerns about the coronavirus vaccine currently being raised in local communities and which people might need reassurance about. Safety – …more

With more people are being added to the shielding list in England, the BBC have published this article looking at shielding, who it applies to and what changes are being made: Who is being added and why? Health advisers say they …more

Our friends at Community Transport Calderdale (CTC) are available to assist with transport to Covid vaccination appointments for those in need, throughout Calderdale. their email address to book is sandra.makin@ctcalderdale.co.uk …more

Published 17 February 2021 New technology has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify, for the first time, a new group of people who may be at high risk from COVID-19. The patients identified through the risk …more

People who are over 70 and haven’t had their first Covid-19 vaccination can now contact the NHS National Booking Service for an appointment. In West Yorkshire, health organisations expect to have reached everyone in the first …more

The NHS has teamed up with law enforcement and security agencies to warn the public not to fall victim to fraudsters trying to exploit the coronavirus vaccine campaign. Criminals are claiming they can offer the vaccine at a cost …more

Calderdale Council, in partnership with Progress Lifeline, offer 2 types of community alarms which offers direct access to a Contact Centre from your home. The Centre provides emergency assistance 24 hours a day in your own home, …more

In this article, Disability Horizons‘ editor Stephanie, who has muscular dystrophy, shares her top 10 tips for keeping cosy and comfortable when temperatures plummet, as well as highlighting the ‘keep warm’ products …more

This is the latest newsletter from Disability Horizons, the online lifestyle magazine. 10 tips to help you keep warm if you have a disability For some disabled people, winter can be a difficult time of year due to the bitterly …more

Newsletter – February 2021 A message from Mark – Hello everyone I hope that you are all keeping safe and managing as best as possible, as we all face the ongoing challenges of these national Covid restrictions …more

This article first appeared on the British Medical Journal website. The UK’s medicines regulator has described the first safety data related to covid-19 vaccines as “reassuring,” with most side effects reported being mild and in …more

Here’s a roundup of recent DWP announcements  Coronavirus vaccination update People do not need to wait to be contacted if any of the following apply: they are aged 70 or over they have previously received a letter saying …more

LGBT+ History Month 2021 For LGBT+ History Month 2021 we’re proud to share the story of landowner, businesswoman, traveller, diarist and lesbian Anne Lister of Shibden Hall. Find out more on our website including …more

A new Government report has been released which focuses on estimates of differences in COVID-19 mortality risk by self-reported disability status and diagnosed learning disability status for deaths occurring up to 20 November …more

Grenfell measures slammed by Disability groups Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has announced another £3.5 billion of funding to remove and replace unsafe cladding from towerblocks. The announcement comes three and a half years …more

The government’s Disability Unit is currently running an online survey which will help to shape the forthcoming National Strategy for Disabled People. Comments must be received by 13 February in order for them to be taken on …more

We have heard from the local NHS that Taxi companies are available to transport patients in the top four vaccination priority groups who use wheelchairs to have their Covid-19 vaccinations. Please ask your local GP surgery for …more

This is the Government’s latest information for eligible adults on COVID-19 vaccination in a BSL format: The COVID-19 vaccination for older adults leaflet is available to download. Paper copies are also available to order. …more

Calderdale council have just released their latest Countryside News Newsletter. It’s a comprehensive round-up of projects, volunteering news and updates from various parts of the Calderdale countryside. Here’s the …more

Active Calderdale are doing a great job getting people back into exercise and fitness. Here’s their latest challenge, aimed at getting families and friends to follow your example. “Two-fifths of people say they are being …more

For the first time, you can now book your Coronavirus vaccination if you are: 1/ over 70 years old 2/ if you’ve received a letter from the Government saying you are at high risk from Coronavirus. Below is the information on …more

Disability Support Calderdale has received funding from Community Foundation For Calderdale to support families, children and young people with Children’s Disability Living Allowance Applications. They are working remotely at the …more

News Round-up Disabled People’s Organisations call for the Disability Strategy to be delayed Disability Rights UK Our Voices group has written to the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, setting out a number of …more

This report from the Government covers the safety of the Coronavirus vaccines. There’s a link to a more detailed report at the foot of the page. Government Report Into Vaccine Safety Data published from UK’s independent …more

With Calderdale experiencing a fairly wet and cold start to the year, here’s a reminder of where to get your up to date weather and flood information: Flood Alerts and Flood Warning s provided by the Environment Agency can …more

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has put in place several measures to assist local people in getting to community vaccination centres by public transport, including a journey planner facility on their website (see below) …more

February Update Welcome to your February e-newsletter. We hope you are keeping safe as we continue to face some challenging times. Following last month’s e-newsletter, we were so pleased to hear from so many more of you who have …more

The NHS is reassuring people in West Yorkshire that they will be contacted when it’s time for their COVID-19 vaccine appointment – and there’s no need for them to contact services. The COVID-19 vaccination rollout in West …more

Healthy Minds Calderdale are putting together a series of informative, helpful workshops, designed to assist during the challenging times we’re facing. Their workshops happen over zoom and give the opportunity for all …more

To kick off Children’s Mental Health Week, Kooth has launched their latest social media campaign: Don’t Do It Alone which features social media stars Chunkz, Amelia Dimz, Riyadh Khalaf, Jax Jones, and Joy Crookes talk about the …more

Below is a link to download a document Learning Disability England has written for people and organisations that offer paid support to people with learning disabilities and also for provider organisations or personal assistants. …more

Here’s the latest Government advice on stopping the spread of Coronavirus. We’re all familiar with the basics, but it’s well worth a read just to refresh your memory on some of the details! Protect yourself and …more

Calderdale Council are a key provider of support during the Coronavirus pandemic for residents of Calderdale. Visit their website for lots of advice across a wide range of services. Or call them on 01422 392890 for volunteer …more

Pennine Magpie have re-branded themselves “Magpies” – they will continue to offer a place to make new friends, learn new skills and create new opportunities but with a new modern look. The organisation has been …more

The latest Lead the Way eBulletin is out with helpful resources for clients and carers, organisations that can support you and information on their online sessions. Download Lead The Way February 2021 eBulletin Share …more

Here’s a quick reminder of how to get involved with ACDAF, who are addressing accessibility issues in Calderdale – their details are below or you can download a copy of the ACDAF postcard Share …more

Fizz Free February is a campaign created by SugarSmart to help kick out the sugary drinking habit and reduce how much sugar you consume just by cutting out fizzy drinks and develop a new healthier habit. Benefits for cutting out …more

The Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC) in Calderdale are still operating during lockdown but there are times and operation restrictions in place, to ensure the safety of staff and the general public. Centre opening …more

According the the Government’s latest monthly report, Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 29 January 2021, fewer disabled people are likely to refuse the chance to have a Covid-19 vaccination, compared to …more

Activity Alliance is the operating name for the English Federation of Disability Sport. Here’s their latest newsletter: Welcome to the first newsletter in 2021. This edition features our response to the Sport England …more

Severe Disability Premium (SDP) The regulations to remove the SDP Gateway from 27 January 2021 were made in 2019. From this date the current restrictions preventing claimants with an SDP entitlement from claiming Universal Credit …more

Unfortunately, despite the pandemic, there are still those who will try to commit fraud. Ofcom have received information from the NHS regarding many different scams relating to Covid-19 that are currently circulating. Calls are …more

This week’s CREW Heart Support Group Bulletin features a self guided 5.5 miles walk through Starfish & Syke Hill. The walk is marked as Grade 2+ and estimated to take 2.5 hours to complete (see foot of page for more details …more

The following is the latest information on the coronavirus vaccine, in particular how it will be made available to you, its safety and effectiveness. Basics Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; they will contact you. …more

What is the Covid-19 Response service? Age UK’s Covid-19 response is a collection of services provided for up to 6 weeks to support someone who has been in hospital and/or to prevent a hospital readmission. Who would …more

This update was circulated around Council staff on Friday 29 January 2021 and is from Caron Walker, Assistant Director, Adult Public Health Improvement This week I was saddened to hear that we had reached over 100,000 deaths in …more

See also the Citizens Advice information on this subject. Set your heating to come on just before you get up and switch it off after you’ve gone to bed. If it’s very cold, set your heating to come on earlier and turn it off later …more

A pulse oximeter is a little device that is put on the finger to monitor the oxygen levels in the blood. Patients who attend A&E at Calderdale Royal Hospital and who have symptoms of coronavirus but have tested negative, will …more

First life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations delivered to every elderly care home in Calderdale Every elderly care home in Calderdale has now had their first life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations delivered to those that were willing and …more

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Welcome to the Get Yourself Active January Newsletter, from Disability Rights UK Welcome to the first edition of the Get Yourself Active newsletter in 2021!  This is our round up of what the Get Yourself Active team and our …more

Calderdale Council has teamed up with the Community Foundation for Calderdale and The Valley Learning Partnership to launch Laptops for Learning – an appeal to purchase laptops for pupils most at need while they are being …more

This is “the Professional’s Update”, a newsletter from from Deafblind UK. Accessible video calls Did you know that by making just a few simple changes you can help make your video calls more accessible to people …more

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be trialling touchless technology at six busy pedestrian crossings in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The detection technology, funded by the Welsh Government, will allow pedestrians to …more

A NEW initiative to encourage more members of the public to take up sign language as an extra language and skill, is now available to residents of Yorkshire.  The Signs4Life scheme is to help people to communicate and engage with …more

This is an explanation of the technology behind asymptomatic testing and the role these tests play in the national COVID-19 testing programme. Published 27 January 2021 by the government. NHS Test and Trace is making rapid …more

This is a new communication from West Yorkshire Police about Domestic Abuse and how to report it and how the police remain committed to combating it. West Yorkshire Police understands that the Coronavirus lockdown can be a …more

Healthy Minds Calderdale are putting together a series of informative, helpful workshops, designed to assist during the challenging times we’re facing. Their workshops happen over zoom and give the opportunity for all …more

If you need to go to hospital it is useful to have a Grab and Go guide about your support needs. It is a bit like a hospital passport. It has information about you on it that doctors need- that they can read really quickly. It …more

Exemption Cards: We continue to run off copies of NHS Calderdale’s special cards. They are intended for use by people who can’t wear face coverings and need to communicate this to shop staff and other people. They …more

COVID 19 UPDATE 23.1.21 – distributed to councillors in Calderdale There were 476 positive Covid-19 tests carried out on Calderdale residents in the 7- day period 10-16 January 2021. In this 7-day period the rate was 225 …more

Healthy Minds offers lots of accessible support for anybody who lives or works in Calderdale. They offer a range of services including; drop-in sessions, peer support groups, activity groups, workshops and welfare rights. All of …more

Local bus and train operators are reminding customers to check the latest travel information before they travel as bus and rail operators continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check wymetro.com, @MetroTravelNews on …more

January 2021 Hello and welcome to the first HSB Activities Update of 2021!  As we are now in lockdown and will be for some weeks yet, this issue focuses on activities we can do from the comfort and safety of our own homes.  …more

Transport for All (TfA) is a pan-impairment organisation, guided by the passionate belief that all disabled and older people have the right to travel with freedom and independence. They are the only disability group in the UK to …more

With the current cold weather set to stay with us for the time being, this is a good time to remind you of this excellent service: Would you like to find out how to save money on your energy bills? Citizens Advice Calderdale can …more

Here’s the council’s list of food banks operating in Calderdale – more info on the council website Hub 1 – Gathering Place/Ebenezer Opening times: Gathering Place (hot food take away) on Tuesday, Thursday …more

22 January 2021 A message from the Disability Rights UK CEO: Over the past year it has often felt like disabled people’s lives haven’t been valued equally. We have had Care Act rights removed, our access to health care …more

This week, The National Autistic Society announced some excellent news – here’s their press release on the subject : For years, we have been campaigning to change the law on mental health in England and Wales. At the …more

Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to …more

From the Disabled Motoring UK website According to an investigation conducted by the BBC those who apply for a Blue Badge on the grounds of having a non-visible disability have far lower success rates than those who apply on the …more

To help more people across the country access peer-led support, the organisation Arthritis Action are now running virtual meetings over the online platform Zoom. During these meetings, you will get the opportunity to share your …more

People in England listed as clinically extremely vulnerable, will begin receiving offers of a coronavirus vaccine this week, alongside people aged 70 and over. Many people with disabilities fall into the groups set to receive the …more

Healthy Minds Calderdale are putting together a series of informative, helpful workshops, designed to assist during the challenging times we’re facing. Their workshops happen over zoom and give the opportunity for all …more

The Cabinet Office, on behalf of the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, is seeking fourteen new Disability and Access Ambassadors to help to ensure businesses are doing all they can to support their disabled …more

Morrisons continue to offer a doorstep deliver service for people who are self isolating: Their Doorstep Delivery service available to anyone who’s self-isolating, to help them get the groceries they need. Whether …more

Here is a selection of the Government’s latest advice and information on the Covid-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination programme Selection of Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme. …more

There are now many translations available of the recently updated letter from the government to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The letter offers a range of advice, information and suggested support sources: View …more

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable – British Sign Language Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable – audio Published 21 …more

The Disability Unit at the Cabinet Office is developing a National Strategy for Disabled People. Publication is planned for Spring 2021. To help the Government with understanding the barriers that disabled people face and how to …more

During the lockdown in spring 2020, Active Calderdale surveyed Calderdale residents, and found that 73% of people exercised to manage their physical health and 76% to manage their mental health – it’s really important that we …more

The ACCEPT (Autism Core Capabilities Repository) project South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) are working with Health Education England on a national project to identify and share a range of approaches to …more

In Calderdale parents and carers have been asking for advice, support and signposting to emotional health and wellbeing support for their children and young people.  In response to that demand Calderdale Council have produced a …more

Our friend Karen Graham, Service Manager at Lead the Way has been in touch with something for our TV diaries. A documentary featuring her son Daniel, is to be broadcast next week. It’s called: “Targeted: the truth about …more

Andrew Pollard has been leading the Oxford vaccine clinical trials in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. He tells Elisabeth Mahase how the Oxford vaccine came to be, how dosing was worked out, and whether it will stand up to the …more

Do you live with chronic pain or have a long term health condition? This step by step 8 week course from Healthy Minds is designed to help you live a joyful and fulfilling life by lightening the load of living with pain so it …more

Become a Voice for your Community VAC, in partnership with Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), offers free training for local people to become Engagement Champions and help people who are seldom heard to have a say …more

The Green Doctors visit around 2000 homes each year across the Yorkshire and North East regions. We help households to save between £100 – 1000 per year on their energy bills through switching and increased energy …more

Here’s the latest newsletter of the British Polio Fellowship – it’s a good insight into their work and the services they can offer – visit their website here: https://www.britishpolio.org.uk Dear Member, I …more

Despite claims that there is not enough evidence that vitamin D supplements protect people against Covid-19, everyone is still advised to take a daily supplement this winter to keep bones and muscles healthy. Free supplements are …more

Government advice on face coverings: When to wear a face covering There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse (see When you do not need to wear a face …more

Not all disabilities are visible – some are not immediately obvious, such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment. Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many …more

The website lovemoney.com has produced a really useful update on the latest rules, restrictions etc at English supermarkets. Read the full article here. Aldi Stores are usually open up to 10pm every day except for Sundays, when …more

The Government has publishes plans for the largest vaccination programme in British history. At least 2 million vaccinations per week with over 2,700 vaccine sites across the UK Over 200,000 offers of non-clinical support from …more

Here’s an upbeat video from the local NHS reminding us to look after ourselves and to make the best of the New Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73GIT0qvEuo Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading...…more

This government guidance is for volunteers and those receiving support from volunteers. Part 1 – Giving Support to Others The most important thing you can do to fight coronavirus is to follow social distancing guidance. …more

UK wide support for jobs We have extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of April 2021. The government will cover the cost of 80 per cent of the wages of furloughed employees for hours not worked – employers …more

for those of you interested in background info on the Coronavirus pandemic, here are the government’s Technical briefing documents on novel SARS-CoV-2 variant. Published 21 December 2020 and Last updated 8 January 2021 …more

Part 1 – Letter Important advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people during the national lockdown On 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown to help tackle the high and rising cases of …more

This statement was released by the Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday 10 January 2021 and it outlines the plans to step up vaccine deployment in the UK in the coming weeks and months. Britons will again be …more

This collection of videos during lockdown 2021 comes from the online magazine for people with disabilities, Disability Horizons. The lockdown means that a lot of us are inevitably getting less exercise. But there are so many …more

This collection of FREE things to keep you entertained during lockdown 2021 comes from the online magazine for people with disabilities, Disability Horizons. With the new lockdown in place across the UK, they’ve headed into …more

Support is in place for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) individuals, who must follow separate shielding guidance during the national lockdown. If you’re in this group, you will previously have: Received a letter from …more