Archive - 2010

Today the BBC reported that Two escape from Argentine jail guarded by dummy! The report went on to say that due to a lack of funds only two out of their 15 guard towers were occupied at any given time. And, here is the 'deal breaker' (when I knew this is the best story I was going to read all day) they put a football with a prison officer's cap in a third, to create the illusion of an extra guard.

Just been working with Suzanne Little, a teacher from Scope's Meldreth Manor School on a feature for SEN magazine about ultra violet light and how it enhances the experience of creating art for young people with complex support needs.

The language you use can pull you in a number of different ways.

One of the key challenges we face in the media team is trying to translate the language of someone from inside the organisation, who lives and breathes a Scope service into language that someone who has no previous knowledge of disability can understand.

We've had lots of enquiries from disabled people who are really worried about the Government's plans to press ahead with moving more people on to the new Employment Support Allowance and other benefits, despite ongoing concerns about the reassessment process.

Many are already struggling to make ends meet as it is and are fearful their benefits will be cut off completely, severely reduced or delayed. They are also concerned about the reassessment process and the possibility of tribunals, with all the stress and anxiety this will bring.

12.30pm Here we are at Scope HQ, George O is just kicking things off, let's see what they say - "tough but fair"...?

12.35pm "Lower spending rather than higher taxes" - where are the cuts going to be made...?

12.40pm 25% cuts across all departments, but protection for NHS, defence and education.  This doesn't bode well for Welfare...

The Media team are all gathering in front of the TV at 12.30pm today to watch the budget as-it-happens.  We'll be summing up some of the headlines and what they might mean for disabled people.  We'll also be tweeting at http://twitter.com/scope

A cross on a piece of paper, a mark next to a name, democracy, debate, representation or soundbites and the political thrust and parry of Westminster. What does voting mean to you? Are the British only free at election time, or does voting confer something more profound on the person casting?

There is no getting away from it the election is everywhere, even if we are still at the phoney war stage and the bullets have yet to start flying. And, like in a lot of other organisations the residents of Scope Towers are busy planning and preparing.

Some really exciting stuff in the pipeline. We are all looking forward to the general election on **6th May**. At every election, thousands of disabled voters are denied the chance to play an equal part in the democratic process. There will be lots of good pr work to do in the coming months.

They like it - Stock donations to our shops have declined by about 20% in recent months. One shop I spoke to yesterday has seen the number of bags they recieve drop by about half in two months. It's been a good story to pitch in, and local papers in particular appear interested in running the story (must check cuttings spreadsheet to see if anything has been published).

They like it not so much - suprisingly little interest in the impact of the snow on our shops. It was topical, had good stats and should have been a winner.

Although the snow that brought news crews out to isolated crossroads in villages in their thousands (There can hardly have been a village without its own news team) thanfully recedes, its impact lingers on.

When people tackled the elements - and bands of stranded reporters, sound and cameramen - they understandably tended to purchase essential items. This left our open charity shops - only about 4% closed - short of both customers and stock donations. Scant reward for a sterling effort from shop staff and volunteers.