i desperately need accessible kitchen adaptions made - help

loobyloulou
loobyloulou Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
Ive been on group a while now but this is my first post,so hi everyone.i could really do with some help and advice please.i am physically disabled and struggling to advocate for myself this year.i desperately need accessible kitchen adaptions made to my council adapted bunglaow.but have been dealing with council ànd social services staff who have had no previous experience of this type of work.it became a nightmare with all the tooing and froing,meetings,phone calls and emails.i tried to explain my issues with the plans which were totally impractical quite a few times and then became hospitalised earlier thi year with heart problems due to the stress.so I've been putting of restarting the whole process as I also have to find about £1500 for new appliances aswel I can't even face filling out the forms for the grants I need, so I know I couldn't cope with advocating for myself again.can anyone please suggest how I go about finding someone to speak on my behalf who is independent from social services or council.i would be so so grateful.x
Thankyou.
Loobyloulou 

Comments

  • steve51
    steve51 Online Community Member Posts: 7,121 Championing
  • loobyloulou
    loobyloulou Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thankyou Steve,very helpful link,could I just check something.
    How do I go about getting a social worker or care co ordinator or mental health worker please?as who do I contact,would it be social services?x 
  • newborn
    newborn Online Community Member Posts: 828 Trailblazing
    You absolutely do need an advocate to fight against the council. I've seen one wheelchair user forced out of her kitchen by the 'improvements' imposed despite her protests.


  • loobyloulou
    loobyloulou Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thankyou newborn,that's what I'm worried about.i don't really want to go through social services to ask for advocate either unless it's last straw.as my occupational therapist already shows more loyalty to the council,I don't need another!
    Do you have any suggestions?
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    @Jean_Scope can you help at all?
  • newborn
    newborn Online Community Member Posts: 828 Trailblazing
    Loubilouolu I've tried to find how to get private advocates because Im s are of the power of social workers.  How can we get someone in scope to reply?

    There's someone else, saying she wants to stand up for herself.  Another person has posted for a friend who is  able to run a business, but lives at home due to c.p., but his mum hits him

    Lots of people need advocates, but it seems like social work and o.ts, that they work for organisations, not for people.   You would think they would do part time for extra money, or else in retirement.  Or, ones who are disillusioned  might do poacher turned gamekeeper so they can really help real people
  • Jean_OT
    Jean_OT Online Community Member Posts: 511 Empowering
    Thanks to @Sam_Scope for inviting me to join this conversation.

    Hi @loobyloulou

    It does sound as if you might need to find an advocate to assist you. A local disability information service or Citizens Advice may be able to signpost you to a local source of advocacy if there is one. Action on Advocacy might also be able to signpost you: http://www.actionforadvocacy.org.uk/index.jsp

    I have already responded to @newborn 's other post about freelance advocates at: https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/195089?

    I have also know people with Disabled Facilities Grants issues commission the services of an Occupational Therapist in Private Practice to help fight their corner with the council. However, this is really only worthwhile when there is a major adaptation that warrants the additional investment in the independent OT's fees. To find an independent OT see: https://www.rcotss-ip.org.uk/find

    @newborn I am concerned to read that you have a friend with cp who is abused by his mother, this needs to be reported to the police and social services adult safeguarding team.

    Best Wishes

    Jean
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    Thanks @Jean_Scope
    @newborn can I echo what Jean says, if your friend is being abused, it does need reporting :(
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,702 Cerebral Palsy Network
    @newborn
    I am aware of the person you have mentioned. I wasn't informed that the person was being physically abused. Please report if you can or I can help with it.