News and information - Canterbury Branch

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Branch newsletter

The Canterbury Branch produces a regular newsletter, providing an update on latest news, meetings and events.

Please phone 01227 452638 to be added to our mailing list.

Information on branch activities is also often featured in the local Gazette.

Fundraising group

Would you like to be part of our branch fundraising group? Can you offer ideas and a little time?  If so we are keen to hear from you.

Please contact Jim Gibbons on 01227 456749.

Information and Support Worker

The Parkinson's Disease Society has appointed Michelle Stoneley as part-time Information and Support Worker for the Canterbury and Thanet areas. Her details can be found on our Contacts page

Welfare matters

If you want to talk to someone or need any help, you can phone Michelle Stoneley, Information and Support Worker, or any of our Welfare Team. (See our Contacts page)

Transport

If you are not able to get to events, the branch can often arrange a lift or otherwise pay for a taxi (do get a receipt from the driver).

The Whitstable Volunteer Centre and the Canterbury and Herne Bay Volunteer Centre have transport schemes. For details, contact the Whitstable Centre on 01227 264743 or the Canterbury and Herne Bay Centre on 01227 283554, between 10am and 12.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Blue badge parking – beware

You can be given a parking ticket for parking with a blue badge outside a marked bay in a city car park. This is strictly not allowed with a blue badge.

You may park for up to 3 hours on the street on yellow lines (single or double) as long as you are not causing an obstruction, or within a disabled bay in a public car park.

In most hospital car parks you can now only use your badge in a 'disabled' bay. Always check on the car park notice boards.

'Get it on time' campaign - hospital visits

Since the 'Get it on time' campaign started, more hospital staff are aware of the importance of giving Parkinson's medication when needed, not just on drug rounds.

The Branch has leaflets you can take to show hospital staff as well as wash bags containing useful medication cards and notes for staff. If you know you will be going into hospital, please ask us for some - see our Contacts page for details of our committee members.

Holidays for disabled people

If you are considering a holiday with a severely disabled person, do consider Vitalise, formerly the Winged Fellowship, which provides care support and activities suitable for all, at their various venues.

Contact our Welfare team (see Contacts page) for more information, or look at www.vitalise.org.uk. We have had excellent reports from members who have been on Vitalise holidays.

Equipment items on offer

If you have items of equipment to pass on or you need a particular item of equipment, please do contact Beatrice Shire on 01227 766782 or b.j.shire@kent.ac.uk, who can take details and advise you as to what is available. 

Information booklet for over 60s

CROP (Citizens Rights for Older People) has produced a booklet of useful information for people over 60 in the Canterbury area.

Copies are available from Age Concern, or from our branch meetings.

Other useful information

• Disabled persons railcard allows the disabled person and companion to travel at anytime of the day with a third off. Cost: £18 per year or £48 for 3 years.
  
  
• Free bus passes are available to those aged 60 and above, or if you are disabled and under 60. These give you free travel after 9am on weekdays, weekends and public holidays.
  
  For more information or to apply contact the bus permit hotline on 01227 862343 or visit Canterbury City Council.
  
  
• Branch funds are available to help with respite and holiday expenses. For more information please contact a member of the committee (see our Contacts page).
  
  
• The Branch will part subsidise taxi journeys to Branch events. You pay the first £2 of any single journey and a receipt will be required to obtain reimbursement of the balance.
  
  
• Council tax discounts are available if you satisfy certain criteria. For further information contact the local welfare team, the council or the PDS Helpline (0808 800 0303).
  
  
• Cycles for disabled people and companions are available to borrow occasionally at Minnis Bay. For further information and types of cycles available please contact Beatrice Shire on 01227 766782 or b.j.shire@kent.ac.uk
  
  
• Information booklets are available to order from Sharwards. They will send up to 49 items free of charge. See the Publications section for further details.

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