August 2021 E-Newsletter
Welfare Benefits Service Update
Over the last quarter the Welfare Benefits have been doing fantastic work. During the period of 1st April – 30th June, the Welfare Benefit Service dealt with 93 new cases. The backdated lump sum payments for clients were £61,265.90. The team were able to increase weekly payments for clients by £7,603.48. It is expected that welfare benefits are awarded for at least 52 weeks. The total figure for weekly income is then £395,380.68. Well done to all our Welfare Benefit Team!
Youth Service Update
The AoD Youth Service has been delivering its summer holiday project which has seen lots of local young people access a range of activities from yoga to badminton. Inspired by Tokyo Olympics, the Young people have been taking part in their very own AoD Olympics with the final round of badminton taking place this week!
Thanks to John Lyons Trust, Let me Play, LBHF, Addison Youth and City Bridge Trust.
Direct Payment Support Service Update
It has been a busy few months for the DPSS, with referrals at record numbers – with almost double the amount of work that we had this time last year! We are really proud to be working at capacity at the moment and feel that our hard work has paid off and we have succeeded in engaging social services and members of the community in the work that we do.
We were very sad to lose a few members of staff in August, but we are excited to announce that we have recruited a new Independent Living Advisor, Isabella, who will be joining the team in August, the recruitment was co-produced with Shirley, a member of the Direct Payment Peer Support Group, who joined us on the interview panel. We would like to say a huge thank you to Shirley and all of the members of the Direct Payment Peer Support Group for their continued support and input. We have also welcomed Charlotte our new Direct Payments Project Lead.
If you receive a Direct Payment and live in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, you can join in the Peer Group which runs every other Tuesday on Zoom. For more information and about our services please email: dppeersupport@aod.org.uk / dpsupport@aod.org.uk
Employment Service Update
Abigail Damen, one of our Employment Service Project Coordinators explains to us about what her service offer.
“The follow-on service provides support for graduates of a supported internship across London with a tailored approach. As part of the service, individuals are provided with support with preparing and applying for employment or volunteer opportunities. This includes negotiating reason adjustments and assisting with Access to Work applications. Another branch of the support is to provide job coaches for targeted 1-1 support and training”
If you would like to find out more about AoD’s Employment Service please email: info@aod.org.uk
Other News...
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LBHF would welcome your involvement, whether that’s completing the occasional survey, sending in a suggestion or being fully involved in a workshop to design a services.
Please get in touch with LBHF using the Social care co-production contact form
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Agents of Change Women’s Leadership Programme
After an entire year of being on hold, applications for the 2021/2022 Women’s Community Leadership Programme are now open.
The Women’s Community Leadership Programme is a six-month free accredited leadership development initiative open to members of the Agents Of Change Network, designed for women who are working on community and social impact projects in the local area.
If you are interested in finding out more or applying, please email: agentsofchange@imperial.ac.uk