OCTOBER EXTRA

Dear Friends,

Due to an emergency Paula Peter sent her apologies for last FEEL meeting. However she's sent us the speech she was going to give us, which was discussed at the meeting bit.ly/2lgv6Y1

Some relevant suggestions and updates from Paula in regards to ways to get involved in the fight and protest against the ​​Universal Credit:

1. National Disability Summit - Saturday 4th November 2017 11am to 4.30 pm NUT HQ Marbeldon place, Kings Cross London.

Contact DPAC dpac.uk.net/2017/10/national-disabled-peoples-summit/ or Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance www.rofa.org.uk/; book a place www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-disabled-peoples-summit-tickets-38706991654

2. National Day of Action against Universal Credit on 2nd December 2017 across the UK contact Unite Community ​on ​how you can support and spread the word.

3. Training workshops. Gail Ward, Disability Campaigner is putting on training workshops around UC, know your rights, the regulations to advocate and support as many people as possible.


Next training workshops in London take place on Saturday 28th October 1pm until 3 pm Anarchist BookFair Park View School, Park View Road, London, N15.

Also on ​Monday 30th October 11 am until 4pm The Field, 28​​5 Queens Road, New Cross SE15 contact MHRN to book a place on that. Or contact Gail via dpac or black triangle to organise a training workshop​;​ she will need support for funding for acommodation and travel and printing costs of hand outs. Trade Unions please support if you can with funding here.

If you can't get to training workshops, actions on the street. Lobby your MP, and local ward councillor. Go on to parliament website to contact your MP; if you do not know who that is type in your postcode and the details of who it is will come up and how to contact them. Write and email, they do not respond on twitter. Same with ward councillors in your local area​.​

If you are impacted by UC already and have a story to share contact the local media or national media about it, they always want a story about UC https://dpac.uk.net/2017/10/uc-claimants-share-your-story/
Do signup to DPAC newsletter for regular updates!

Some more info and events.

​​​Anyone Can M​a​ke a Film!​
​Check the new programme that ​​l​aunches October ​25​, 2017​​ ​​organised by ​INUF-Independent Newham Users Forum (Mental Health)​ Ithaca House, 27 Romford Road, Stratford, E15 4LJ London​. Contact Trevor on trevorj@inuf.org​ ​ ​www.inuf.org/single-post/2017/10/12/Anyone-Can-MAke-a-Film​

​******************************​

National Disabled People’s Summit Saturday 4 November 11am – 4.30pm

NUT headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9BD

Since 2010 Disabled people have been subject to brutal attacks in every area of our lives caused by the disproportionate impact of austerity measures and the dismantling of the welfare system. In August the United Nations disability committee publicly declared that they are now more worried about the UK than any other country in the entire history of the committee and that UK Government “social cuts” have led to “human catastrophe”. This followed publication at the end of last year of the Committee’s investigation into the UK which found evidence of “grave and systematic violations” of Disabled people’s rights due to welfare reform. Yet the Tory Government continues to deny there is a problem. This summit will bring together Deaf and Disabled people from the trade union movement, Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations and grassroots campaigns to explore how we can more effectively co-ordinate our resistance and organise joint campaigning in identified areas. The event will be largely workshop based with the aim of each workshop to come up with and agree a campaigns plan that participants will go away and work together to put into action. The idea of the Summit is to inspire concrete activity that will lead to real change.​ The venue is wheelchair accessible, BSL interpretation will be provided and there will be a quiet room. Lunch will be provided (with thanks to the National Education Union). Please book via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-disabled-peoples-summit-tickets-38706991654 If you are unable to attend in person, we will be livestreaming the plenary. For more information or if you have any access queries please contact: ellen_morrison@hotmail.co.uk

​******************************​

Deaf poets society Talk by Richard D France - Free
09 Nov 2017 18:00 - 20:00 Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London, W1G ORN At this talk and poetry event, Richard will talk about his experiences with the psychiatric system and perform some of his poetry. The event will be introduced by Herbert Klein, Deaf Advisor at Springfield Hospital (National Deaf Services).

This event will have a BSL interpreter. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/events/deaf-poets-society

​******************************​

GOBSCURE in London

-half hour reading in eastham library at 6pm on friday 17th november - all free, all welcome, against a wall of words and arthritis-permitting with a welsh poppy (328 Barking Rd, London E6 2RT)

-joey at camden peoples theatre - 30th november & 1st december at 7:15pm www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/joey-she/

-free zine workshop 30th november 3 - 6pm free www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/theatre-workshop-sean-burn/

camden peoples theatre 58-60 Hampstead Rd, Kings Cross, London NW1 2PY

​******************************​

Together! 2017 Disability Film Festival

The sixth annual Together! Disability Film Festival takes place from 8-10 December 2017 at the Old Town Hall Stratford (see below for full venue details). The Together! Disability Film Festival is the only UK disability film festival that covers all impairment groups, including disabled people with physical and sensory conditions, learning difficulties, mental health difficulties and long-term health conditions. We release the programme with the addition of links to available online versions and trailers each morning, and these remain online in our archive as a portal to Disability Film for programmers and scholars. Entries are being accepted now via film@together2012.org.uk

In addition to any other information you send, please include programme information in the following format: Name of Film; Name of Director; Country of Origin; Year of Completion; Length; Premiere status; Link to any Online Version or Trailer; Access Status (i.e. English captions, audio-description, BSL); + 2/3 sentences of description; and at least 1 still. We accept entries in any format (DVDs and sticks to Together! 2012 CIC, 90A Tudor Road, London E6 1DR), but need the information above via email.

For more information contact Together! 2012 Artistic Director Dr Ju Gosling ju@together2012.org.uk
www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/together-2017-disability-film-festival/

​******************************​

END TO REPEAT ESA ASSESSMENTS FOR SOME

We now have the criteria that the DWP are using to decide which claimants will be exempt from repeat work capability assessments. Only claimants in the support group will be considered. In addition, claimants will have to have a condition that will last for the rest of their lives with no realistic prospect of recovery including by way of interventions such as transplants. Also, their condition must always cause them to meet one of the support group descriptors. However, this means the DWP are deliberately excluding claimants who are placed in the support group on the grounds that their mental health condition means that there would be a substantial risk to themselves or someone else if they were not placed there. This is in spite of the fact that the DWP will be aware that these are some of the claimants whose health will be most put at risk by the stress of repeated reassessments. There’s more details about who is and isn’t likely to qualify in our full article www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3670-end-to-repeat-wcas-many-mental-health-claimants-will-miss-out?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=benefits-and-work&utm_content=v2+October+18+2017+newsletter


​******************************​

The Psychotherapy and Spirituality Summit -
FREE Online Summit 30 Oct-8 Nov 2017

In recent years we've seen extraordinary breakthroughs from the combination of Western psychotherapy and spiritual practice. From the “mindfulness revolution” to the prescription of yoga for PTSD and other challenges, this emerging synthesis of the scientific and the spiritual is transforming our approach to health and healing. And we've only scratched the surface. With The Psychotherapy and Spirituality Summit, you are invited to explore the profound implications of this uniquely exciting time in history. Beginning on October 30, 2017, 30 leading experts from diverse fields will share their insights into the journey towards becoming a mature, balanced, spiritually open, and psychologically healthy human being. Book FREE place here www.soundstrue.com/store/psychotherapy-and-spirituality-summit/free-registration?hatid=10223e930a78d77ad517669c6d4379&partner=2938

​******************************​

NDACA Introducing the 'Golden Age' of the Disability Arts Movement

The National Disability Arts Collection & Archive (NDACA) Project Team is currently bringing to life the heritage and rich history of the Disability Arts Movement. The Disability Arts Movement is a heritage story that began in the late 1970s and still flourishes today. It involves disabled creatives, activists, their allies and disability arts organisations all over the UK, who campaigned and broke barriers to make real change for disabled people. Change did happen with the Disability Discrimination Act being passed through Parliament in 1995. Along the way to achieving justice and rights, disabled people made the great art, music and culture that chronicles the Disability Arts Movement. Piss on Pity, indeed! www.shapearts.org.uk/Pages/Category/ndaca/Tag/ndaca

​******************************​

Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Psychologists give new insight into the nature of psychosis

A week after the government announced its review of mental health legislation, an expert report published by the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology challenges received wisdom about the nature of mental illness. The report, Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Why people sometimes hear voices, believe things that others find strange or appear out of touch with reality, and what can help, has been written by a group of eminent clinical psychologists drawn from eight universities and six NHS trusts, together with people who have themselves experienced psychosis. It provides an accessible overview of the current state of knowledge, and its conclusions have profound implications both for the way we understand ‘mental illness’ and for the future of mental health services. The report can be downloaded free of charge
www.bps.org.uk/networks-and-communities/member-microsite/division-clinical-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia

​******************************​

"A Disorder for Everyone!" - Fri 8 December 09:00 – 17:00

Exploring the culture of psychiatric diagnosis, creating change. (In association with Manchester Rape Crisis)

Methodist Central Buildings Central Hall Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ

AD4E is coming to Manchester, this will be our 6th event. We are delighted to be supported by Manchester Rape Crisis Contributors include Dr Lucy Johnstone, Jacqui Dillon, Dr Gary Sidley, Jo Watson & Nollaig McSweeney

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-disorder-for-everyone-exploring-the-culture-of-psychiatric-diagnosis-creating-change-in-tickets-35489790920