South Yorkshire CentreFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This page contains questions asked by our service users. Click on the corresponding letter below to get to your question, i.e. if your question is about the Blue Badge Scheme, click on the letter 'B'.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Q. I speak very little English and have an appointment with my doctor over a private matter that I do not wish my family to know about. I have taken my daughter with me in the past to interpret for me but I would like to speak to my doctor in confidence. What can I do?
A. You can ask for your GP practice to arrange for a professional interpreter to be present at your appointment. This person will be highly qualified in interpreting and everything that you say will be entirely confidential.
Q. I do not understand the letters that I am receiving about my benefits. What help and advice can SYCIL give me?
A. SYCIL can help you to understand the letters that you receive. We can also help you to fill in forms including application forms for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. However, if you need specialist advice about benefits or help with an appeal against a benefit decision we will sign-post you to other organizations such as Dial or the Council's Welfare Rights Service.
Q. Are there any social activities aimed at BME carers?
A. There is an African-Caribbean luncheon club on Tuesdays at the Club 39 in Waterdale opposite the old southern bus station. All communities are welcome. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Lunch is served from around 1 p.m.
Q. I am struggling with small repairs and maintenance jobs around my house and garden and I cannot afford to pay someone to do the work.
A. The Doncaster Repair and Support Service will carry out small repairs to keep you safe and independent. There is no charge for labour time but you may have to pay for some of the materials used.
You can contact them in the following ways:
Doncaster Repair and Support Centre
Mexborough Business Centre
M&M Business Park
College Road
Mexborough
Doncaster
S64 9JP
Telephone: 01302 736574/736862/735065
Email: Kerry Lithgow or Yvonne Charters
Q. I cannot get into SYCIL but I would like to look at chairs, can companies bring chairs out to my house for me to try them?
A. Yes, we can either give you information on which companies will demonstrate in your home or we can arrange for them to visit you.
Q. I would like a speaker to come to our group to talk about nutrition, does SYCIL provide this service?
A. Yes, the independent living advisor can come and discuss most topics around nutrition and provide games etc to assist with learning.
Q. I am a disabled person, I have a computer but need help with using it, I find it difficult to leave the house, is there any organisation that can help?
A. An organisation called ITCH network, offer free local computer assistance to disabled people. You can contact them on one of the following
ITCH NETWORK Client Helpline (via Ability Net) Free phone (and Minicom)0800 269545
Tel. 07985 779071
Q. I am having difficulties using the mouse on my computer, is their any other device I can use?
A. Yes there are various computer pointing devices you can use, a common alternative to the mouse is a Trackball, but if you have problems with the mouse due to a disability you can get an assessment from SYCIL. Call Ray Curtis on 01302 892942 for more information or to book an appointment. You can also have a look at our website at www.sycil.org
Q. What is DET Training?
A. DET, or Disability Equality Training looks at the wider aspects of disability and discrimination, particularly why disabled people are discriminated against and how barriers can be broken down to prevent this happening. It also gets people to examine their own attitudes towards disabled people, by looking at language, media images and stereotyping. The best thing about DET is that has been designed by disabled people, so it tells things how they really are, rather than looking at how health and social care professionals see disability and disabled people. SYCIL's DET is also delivered by disabled people. Our training co-ordinator works closely with a team of trained disabled co-tutors and they deliver the training together. The main thing to remember about SYCIL's DET is that it is taught in a non threatening and fun way, even though it is a serious subject matter.
Q. Is SYCIL's DET accredited?
A. It depends on what you want. We can provide accredited or non accredited Disability Equality training. Accredited DET lasts one or two days, and involves completing a workbook and assignment, which leads to 3 National Open College Credits at Level 3. Non accredited training can be anything from 2 hours to a day. We can also tailor courses to suit any specific requirements you have.
Q. Does DET training cost anything?
A. It depends. We are constantly on the look out for funding to be able to provide free DET training, and when we do get some funding and advertise a free course there is always a lot of demand. Without funding, as a general rule of thumb, we charge £330 per full day, plus extra to cover the Open College registration costs for learners doing accredited courses - but of course we can always negotiate!
Q. I have heard about Direct Payments, and understand that as a disabled person I could be able to use them to help me, but don't really know much about how Direct Payments work. Can you tell me more?
A. The Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 means that Local Authorities can make cash payments to service users in lieu of providing or arranging to provide services to meet and individual's assessed community care needs. People in receipt of Direct payments then use this money to obtain for themselves the services they need, e.g. by employing their own personal assistants.
If you want to know more about whether Direct Payments might be suitable for you, Contact Direct Payments, Social Services first (Adults), P.O. Box 251, The Council House, College Road, Doncaster, DN1 3DA, Telephone 01302 737391, email social services@Doncaster.gov.uk
Q. I find it difficult to take my dustbin out to be emptied each week. As a disabled person is there any help available for this?
A. If you need help with moving your dustbin to be emptied, then if you contact Doncaster Council they will be able to arrange for the refuse collector to move your dustbin for you, contact Refuse Collection - Domestic, P.O. Box 257, The Council House, College Road, Doncaster, DN1 1RN. Telephone 01302 736000. Email community.first@doncaster.gov.uk.
Q. I,m struggling to pay my energy bills, is there any help available?
A. If there is a member of the family who is over 60 years old, on means tested or disability related benefits, then it might be worth asking your gas or electricity supplier about the Social Tariff - not all companies offer this, but many now do and it could save you some money on you energy bills. If you have Internet access click on the link and look at the energy choices website. Energy Choices - Social Tariffs
Q. I would like a speaker to come to our group to talk about nutrition, does SYCIL provide this service?
A. Yes, the independent living advisor can come and discuss most topics around nutrition and provide games etc to assist with learning.
Q. I can no longer look after my pets due to my increasing ill health - can you suggest any organisation which could look after them for me?
A. In addition to organisation such as the RSPCA, who try to re home pets, you might like to consider contacting the Cinnamon Trust which places pets with adoptive owners when their original owners are no longer able to look after them, contact, The Cinnamon Trust, 10 Market Square, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HE, telephone (01302) 757900, E-mail admin@cinamon.org.uk
Q. Does the 'Progress Together Programme' have any effect on the State Benefits received?
A. In most cases with Learning and Training, when on the 'Progress Together Programme' benefits will not be affected. However, work is a completely different issue and a 'better off in work' calculation should be made, as benefits will be affected.
Q. Will the 'Progress Together Programme' cost me money.
A. No, the program is completely free, as it is funded through the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council.
Q. Who is eligible for the 'Progress Together Programme'.
A. The client groups that we work with are wide and varied but must include the following criteria:
- Lives in South Yorkshire target areas (Which covers most of Doncaster)
- 19+ with no upper age limit
- Workless themselves
- Partner of someone unemployed and on benefits
- 6 months+ unemployed OR can be less than 6 months if:
- Disabled
- Ex-offender
- Lack of basic skills
- Refugee
- Cycle of temporary employment
- Long-term health conditions
Persons ineligible will be anyone engaged on any sort of New Deal program or on the Incapacity Benefit Pathways program.
Q. Where can I get a RADAR Key from?
A. You can get a RADAR Key for us SYCIL, contact us and either call in or send us a Cheque or Postal Order. Prices are £3.50 if you collect or £4.50 including postage and packing.
Q. I have heard that there have been some changes recently to who can get a Disabled Persons Rail card. Can you tell me more.
A. The eligibility criteria for the Disabled Persons Rail card changed on the 6th of September 2006. Now you will qualify for a card if any of the following apply to you.
- Are registered as having eyesight difficulties
- Are registered deaf, or use an NHS hearing Aid
- Have epilepsy, and have repeated attacks even though you receive drug treatment
- Receive Attendance Allowance
- Receive Disability Living Allowance (at the higher or lower rate for getting around (mobility) for one year or longer or at the higher or middle rate for help with personal care
- Receive Severe Disablement Allowance
- Receive long - term Incapacity Benefit
- Receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
- Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
- Are buying or leasing a vehicle through the Motability Scheme
From the 6th of September you can buy either a 1 Year or a 3 Year rail card. the price of the 1 year card is £18:00, and the 3 year card is £48:00
Q. Where can I buy a battery for my Scooter?
A. From local disability shops situated around the Doncaster district a list is available from the information service at SYCIL.
Q. My husband has passed away, however he used to work in the coal industry - can I still obtain funding from them for a stair lift?
A. We can approach the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) with quotes from stair lift companies; they can then discuss whether they can provide you with any funding
Q. Where can I go to get a private Telecare equipment assessment from?
A. SYCIL's Independent Living Unit has a Occupational Therapist who can assess and make recommendations and a Information Officer who can provide details of companies.
If you have a question you would like answering email us
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