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BERWICK AREA HEART SUPPORT GROUP
MARCH 2006 NEWSLET
TER
Next meeting March 1st at the Day Hospital, Berwick Infirmary from 7.00pm – 9.00pm Guest speaker is Jean Worth. Jean is the Berwick Co-ordinator for a charity called Carer Link which aims to put carers in touch with each other for mutual support and friendship. The charity is at present recruiting volunteer listeners (either experienced carers or former carers) to make a telephone call once a week to a carer who would like someone to talk to. At present they are busy promoting the project - trying to reach both volunteers and people who would like to use the service.
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Our speaker for the first meeting of 2006 was Julie Holden of the Berwick Branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Much of the evenings talk was a two way conversation, with members asking questions and Julie giving a reply, which often prompted (A) another question, or (B) Julie to explain something a bit deeper. Whilst this makes for an interesting evening it makes it difficult to take notes and then to make some sort of sense of it for people that were not there, plus the fact that I’ve had a couple of months off.
The CAB as it is now affectionately known was set up in 1939, by the Government of the day. That’s a nice way of saying that I don’t think Julie said which Party was in Power, and I’m too young to know. But which ever party is was they saw the need for the general masses to have access to free advice on legal, housing, missing persons, money and work related matters. Initially there were 200 Bureaus set up throughout the Country, and although staffed by volunteers, funds for rent and electricity were supplied by the Government. By 1944 the number of Bureaus had risen to 1000. In 1950 the Bureau became totally self sufficient because Government withdrew all funding completely.
Even today the bulk of the work of the Bureau is still being done by volunteers, but there are some paid positions. This has happened because of the range of work now undertaken by the staff is far more complex, some of which requires legal qualifications, as Court and Tribunal appearances on behalf of clients have become quite commonplace.
Much of the Legal Aid work previously undertaken by Solicitors is now done by the Bureau. The Legal Services Commission who manages the fund for Legal Aid pays the Bureau for the cases they cover. Berwick branch has 12 paid positions, plus 10 voluntary workers. Funding also includes monies for ancillary office equipment, desks, computers etc.
The Bureau is used by all Public Bodies including Berwick Borough Council, from whom they receive no funding.
Training for volunteers can take up to 2 years to qualify, but when complete it is the equivalent to a MVQ at level 3 or equal to 6 months legal training. All training and subsequent advice to clients is to the ‘Quality Mark’. The guidelines/aims of the Bureau is to give free, confidential, fair and independent advice to its clients.
Usual practice is clients are seen on a first come first seen basis. If two people are in dispute, but on different sides, ie. husband and wife, only the first will be represented. Clients are seen, and details of their problem are obtained. Relevant information is researched, usually from the computer, and the client is advised accordingly. This may take two or more appointments, but before seeing another client each individual interview, or advice given and actions taken are referenced off by the interviewer, so that each case is up to date before taking on another client.
Because this is the practice for all enquires telephone enquiries are not recommended, and because Scottish law differs from English law it is not always possible to give advise when dealing with Scottish enquiries.
Just a few facts and figures that I jotted down:-
In 2004/5 there were 3,336 new clients at the Berwick Branch. One third of Berwick’s Council Houses stock has now been sold. Throughout Britain possession orders have doubled. Again throughout Britain in 2002, 59 million credit cards were issued, and between a third and a quarter of all pensioners do not claim their full benefits.
Thank you Julie for this insight into the CAB.
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Wallys Yarn
An elderly man went to his dentist. As the dentist had recently given up doing NHS work, he asked how much an extraction of a large back tooth would cost.
The dentist replied, “£ 75.00”.
The man pointed out that he was a pensioner, and asked if there was any chance of discount, or making it cheaper.
The dentist said that he was unable to do it any cheaper because the price included his time, the time of his dental nurse, the injection, and the use of a fully equipped and sterile surgery.
The pensioner still thought this was excessive and suggested no injection.
The dentist suggested that as this would only save £7.50, and the amount of pain and discomfort that the injection would relieve it would not be worth considering.
The pensioner said, “No injection” He also said “Does it have to be in your surgery?”
The dentist insisted that it was, for hygiene reasons.
“Have you not got another room almost as clean?” said the pensioner.
“There is a small anteroom next to the surgery that we used to use before we got our new surgery, but there is no equipment left” said the doctor, “but we have some old stuff in the cupboard we could wash over, and get a chair out of reception”.
“That’s fine” said the pensioner, “How much now?”
“Still £60.00 I’m afraid, its mine and my nurses time that costs so much”
“Does your nurse have to be there?”
“Its usual practice”, said the dentist, “Just in case something goes wrong”
“Is there anyone cheaper that can do it?” said the pensioner.
“I suppose the YTS lassie in reception might stand in”, said the dentist.
“And what about you”, said the pensioner, “Is there anyone cheaper?”
“I suppose my nurse could do it now that she is not assisting”
“That’s fine, now how much?” said the pensioner
“£35.00”, said the dentist
“Still too much”, said the pensioner,” What if they did it ‘for a couple of quid’ in their dinner break?”
“I would have to check” said the dentist. He then telephoned down to reception to see if and when the people involved were willing. He then said to the pensioner, “They said they would do it, but let me recap as to what you want. No injection, use of the anteroom, use of an ordinary chair, use of some old equipment, tooth pulled by my dental nurse, assisted by the YTS receptionist, and in their dinner break”.
“Yes, that’s correct, how much now?” Said the pensioner
“£12.50” said the dentist.
“Yes, that will do” said the pensioner.
“When do you want it done, my staff can manage this Thursday of Friday” said the dentist.
“Can I get back to you on that one”, said the pensioner, “I’ll have to have a word with my wife, it’s her appointment”.
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Recipe of the month
Vegetable stir Fry with Noodles
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 individual packets steam fresh vegetables
1 Packet Amoy stir fry sauce
1 packet Amoy straight to wok noodles
Method
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a deep non stick frying pan or wok
Add the vegetable mix, plus any extra you fancy, for example - broccoli, peas, chopped leaks, pineapple cubes, mushrooms.
Cook over a medium to high heat until veg are cooked, add sauce, coat veg, then add noodles.
Serve immediatly
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Donations
The committee would like to thank all the staff at General Mills (Jus Rol) for the continual financial support they have given to “Berwick Area Heart Support Group” over the last year.
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