Friday, 17 May 2013

My Perspective - Short List Announced!

My Perspective Photographic Competition for people with Down's syndrome has gone from strength to strength since 2010.  The annual competition open to anyone with Down's syndrome received over 250 entries prior to the closing date of 26th April.   Since then our head judge Richard Bailey has been whittling them down to the official My Perspectives Short-list.   The 25 short-listed images will presented to the judging panel for consideration. 

The 25 short-listed images have now been dispatched to each judge for them to score in order of personal preference and the winners will be announced on Thursday 6th June at The Orangery, Kew Gardens. 

The 25 shortlisted photographers and their images are listed below:

My Perspective is the only photography competition for people with Down's syndrome.  The competition started in 2010 as the natural follow-on from the hugely successful Shifting Perspectives exhibition.  For the past eight years, the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) has been showcasing work from a fantastic collection of professional photographers who all have a personal link with Down's syndrome.  In years gone by, people with Down's syndrome were photographed as exhibits, where the viewer was not supposed to see the person, just the difference.  My Perspective turns the camera around and gives the subjects in front of the camera a chance to show the world from their point of view.

The DSA extends our most sincere thanks to our main sponsor –

GlaxoSmithKline who have generously sponsored My Perspectives Photographic Award since its conception in 2010.   Their continuing support and continuing commitment to the DSA allows this unique project to grow year on year.

We also thank Olympus for their continued support by donating the My Perspectives Award Prizes.

Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Cerebra Grants Scheme

Did you know that the charity Cerebra have a grant scheme that can fund up to 80% of the price of specialist equipment that will directly benefit the individual child.  This can be anything from play equipment, a touch screen computer or speech and language therapy.

Can you apply?

• Is your child 16 or under?
• Does your child have a Down's syndrome?
• Will the item you'd like to apply for improve your child's quality of life?

If you can answer yes to all these questions and the item you want to apply for shouldn't be provided by a statutory body like the NHS, LEA or social services you can certainly apply to Cerebra for help.

Have a look and see what you can apply for?

• Cerebra Grants Scheme

Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Care Bill announced in Queen's Speech

The Draft Care and Support Bill has emerged in the Queen’s Speech as a fully-fledged Care Bill.

Read the Care Bill Briefing

As well as including the original aspects of the Draft Bill – uniting fragmented legislation and improving the information and entitlements for carers – the Care Bill will also include a cap on care costs and measures in response to the Francis Report.

This information was provided by DeHavilland politicial intelligence services.

Wednesday, 01 May 2013

Have your say about local health and social care provision

Healthwatch England is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England.

Its role is to ensure that the voices of those who use services reach the ears of the decision makers.  

This week they have issued a contact list of 152 local organisations across the country.

Find out more at Healthwatch

Thursday, 25 April 2013

First fully comprehensive free comparison website for care services goes live

 A new online information service has been launched  by the Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb this month. It will help people to choose, compare and comment on care homes and other care services. The new service is part of the NHS Choices website and will include:

• essential information from every registered care provider, including detail on services provided
• official reports from Care Quality Commission inspections
• comments from the public on their experience of care and services, including links to existing comment sites
• from May 2013 the ability for the public to give services star ratings
• Ofsted-style ratings for care services as they are developed.

Thousands of organisations who provide care services have started adding information to the website, such as details of what specialised services they provide, staff details, photos of their care homes or menu information; and many more are expected to do so over the coming months.

See NHS Choices