The Ashford LD CIC's exciting expansion plans
Ashford LD Community Interest Company is expanding to a new site: the old South Ashford primary school on Jemmett Road. Once the site is up and running we hope to run a series of activity and training sessions including art, dance and gardening. We have 5 large class rooms that can be used by everyone. The sessions will provide a great opportunity for people to mix with new people, get new skills. Everyone will be welcome, especially the elderly, people with physical disabilities and people with learning disabilities or mental health issues. However before this can happen we need to make the new site tidy and decorate the building. If you are willing to donate materials such as paint, tables, chairs or anything else you think would be helpful, please contact Dave Rawling on 01233612430

My name is Svenja Powell and I am very pleased to have been appointed as the new Senior Practitioner for Care Management in the Ashford Learning Disability Team.

I studied Social Work in Canterbury and have worked for Social Services in Ashford for over 10 years. In that time I have worked with people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities as well as older people, both in the community and in hospital. In addition I was seconded for a year as Adult Protection Co-ordinator. I look forward to working with others in the Ashford area to help create more opportunities for people with a learning disability.

I am married to Chris, who is a local GP and we have a cat called Pebbles. My hobbies include growing vegetables, going for country walks and scuba diving.

Shared Ownership House
for People with a learning disability
Shared Ownership helps people who could not afford to purchase their own home.

You may need support to achieve Shared Ownership such as a family member, advocate, support worker or a Broker.
When you know the amount the housing association is able to provide for the property you are able to select a property on the open market.

The person buys a share of the property and pays rent for the other part,

Shared ownership can work well for people that have support needs, the person can get a mortgage for example a 65per cent share and rent the other 35per cent from a Housing Association

Under the lease the Housing Association is responsible for the essential repairs. These repairs are funded through Housing Benefit.

You will need to borrow money, this is called a mortgage. To buy your share, you will get an, ’interest only’ mortgage which is paid to people with a learning disability as long as they have received benefits which include Income support for at least 39 weeks or Incapacity Benefit for 39 weeks or Job Seekers allowance (Income based) also for 39 weeks.

The Housing Association rents their share to the person with a learning disability. Your rent may be paid by Housing Benefit.

You will need a mortgage broker to guide you through a mortgage application, which you will need to pay for.

You will require legal advice; therefore it is useful to work with a solicitor who has the understanding of shared ownership.

It will be important to know before the work is started how much they will charge.

On this page you can see the latest edition of our newsletter and read our latest news. If you have a news item for the web site please use this email address dpgnewsletterashford@yahoo.co.uk

Newsletter February 2010.pdf

A better life for People with a Learning Disability
Government sets out priorities for learning disabilities for the next three years

'Valuing People Now' to Transformation' is a cross government consultation which sets out the agenda across a range of issues, including health and well-being housing,employment,education and community inclusion. The Key areas it will focus on are: the personalisation agenda - having choice and control through individual budget, direct payments, person centred planning and advocacy. what people do - helpin people to be socially included in their local communities, with a particular focus on paid work. better health- ensuring that mainstream NHS provides full and equall access to good quality healthcare and that specialist healthcare services are modernised: access to housing- ensuring that people have access to housing and they want and need with a focus on home ownership and real tenancies: making sure that change happens- making learning disability partnership boards more effective and checking that the things we say should happen do actually.

New Day Centre Manager     There is a new Manager starting at the Day Opportunity Service his name is Martin Field and we are looking forward to working with him. He is also a member of the Planning group for the Ashford District Partnership group.

Football squad take on a new look

The Ashford Town Rangers adult pan-disability team parade their new football kit, sponsorship was provided by Tim Cozens of the Carpet Cleaning Guy. The team is run by Margo Eastwell, and the coaching for the team is Mick Knight, the squad are based at the Ashford Football Club Kingsnorth Ashford. The football team currently play friendlies against other disabled clubs.

Future hopes are to set up a mini league for Kent Teams.

The Team have just been successful with a bid for funding from the Ashford District Partnership Group for learning disabilities. The funds received will help with the hire of the hall and coach together with equipment and the insurance for tournaments.

The club is a vital part of the community and promotes health and fitness, social inclusion and supports people with a learning disability to take on more challenges.

South Ashford Baptist Church

Social Club Connect organiser Helen Brockhurst

Connect is a social club for adults with a learning disability at South Ashford Baptist Church.

The Club aims to provide a friendly, fun safe environment for people to come and enjoy playing games, doing craft, drama and music.

The club is open initially every other Wednesday from 7-45pm to 9-00pm and accommodates approximately 20 people. It is open to anyone living in the South Ashford area.

A successful grant from the Ashford District Partnership Group has enabled the organisers to purchase for the club a football table, craft materials, storage box, badge maker, musical instruments, computer and software, playstation and games.