2024 Spring Newsletter

 Welcome back to our newsletter from Darlington Association on Disability (DAD).

We hope everyone had a lovely festive period and end to 2023. Though 2024 is a new year, we know the first few months are just as chilly as the holidays. We’ve got plenty of advice and tips to keep you cosy, warm and well whilst also saving money.

In this edition we also have some introductions from other projects within Darlington Association on Disability, information about opportunities to volunteer with us or become a trustee, and broader news and issues within disability rights and wellbeing in the UK.

 

Spring Energy Saving Advice

Here are some tips that may help you save energy. Not all disabled people will be able to take advantage of these due to their impairment but hopefully there will be some that you can use to save energy. 

Turn down your radiators:  Turn down your radiator dials in rooms that you don’t spend very much time in like bathrooms, hallways and the kitchen. The best way to keep the house warm but to save money is to set the dial to the “middle”. So if the dial goes up to the number 5, set it between 2 and 3. This can save around £49.00 a year.

Stick to central heating:  If you have gas central heating, this will usually be cheaper than electric appliances for keeping your house warm. This isn’t always possible, so here are some further tips for staying toasty with electric only...

Fill up your dishwasher:  If you have a dishwasher, make sure it is full up before you put it on. This will save both water and electricity. If you can reduce dishwasher use to just once a week, this can save up to £14.00 per year. 

Turn down the thermostat:  The thermostat controls the central heating, and you can choose the temperature you’d like your home kept at. It is recommended that the temperature is set between 18 and 21 degrees celcius. Turning the temperature down by just 1 degree can save the average home around £105.00 per year. Please note, that if you have members of your household who are considered vulnerable (elderly people, children, anyone with chronic illnesses) you should be particularly careful about reducing the temperature.

Avoid tumble drying:  Tumble driers use quite a lot of energy, and one cycle can cost from 61p to £1.70. If you have the heating on already, use a drying rack, airing cupboard or radiator rack to dry clothes. This could save up to £60.00 per year.

Don’t overfill the kettle:  We use the kettle a lot every day, but we all probably put a bit too much water in each time. Filling the kettle with just what you need can save around £11.00 per year. 

Draw the curtains:  Drawing the curtains in your house can help keep the heat in and your home warm. Make sure that they don’t cover radiators. If they do, you can tuck the curtain behind the radiator to make sure the hear stays in the room.

 Keep the doors closed:  If you tend to stick to one room of your home, and you have turned the radiators down in the other rooms, make sure the door is closed to keep the warmth in. 

These tips are provided by Energy Saving Trust

 

 Cost of Living

Planning Meals and Shopping on a Budget

Write a shopping list and stick to it:  Make a shopping list and focus on what you need from the shop. Be aware of discounts and promotions and think about whether it is really what you need with a good discount or just clever marketing.

Avoid convenience stores:  Research carried out by Which? shows that, 75 items a week at Tesco Express would cost you £817.91 more over the course of a year than if you’d shopped at a Tesco supermarket. So plan and do your shopping at supermarkets rather than convenience stores and you could make big savings.

Switch to own-brand:  The cheaper supermarket versions often taste as good as branded products. Many people can’t taste the difference because branded and own-label products are often made with the same ingredients in the same factories.

Shop around:  Some supermarkets are pricier than others, the difference can be significant. For example, a similar basket of items may cost up to 22% more at more expensive supermarkets. Some supermarkets offer introductory discounts to new online customers. You can also join supermarket loyalty schemes. They are usually free and it’s worth joining even if you only shop with them sometimes.

Try frozen and tinned food:  Frozen and tinned food are much cheaper because they can last longer. Which? research also found that fresh food is usually more expensive than frozen, sometimes costing twice as much, especially if they are not in season. Frozen fruit and vegetables are usually fresher and more nutritious. Tinned foods are also cheaper than fresh products and they last much longer. You can include more beans and lentils in your diet as they are healthy, nutritious and filling choices too, and they are much cheaper than meat.    

 

Getting Support

Maximize your income, including benefits:  More than eight million households across the UK will receive the final £299.00 payment between 6th and 22nd February, 2024. Make sure you look out for Cost of Living Payment from Department of Work and Pension (DWP) if you are eligible. Understanding the benefit system can be daunting and stressful. Contact us to discuss with Citizen Advice.

Support with essential living costs:  The Bread and Butter Thing is a service to help families cut the price of their food bills by offering groceries at a fraction of supermarket price. This weekly offer is available to residents who live within a mile radius of a hub. If you need support more urgently, you may be able to get emergency food from the local foodbanks. Contact us for more information.

Manage your bills and debts:  If you are struggling with your bills, you should contact your local council and your energy supplier. You should start by trying to sort out problems with energy bills, council tax or housing costs. If you need help with your bills and debt, you find out more at askbill.org.uk for more information. Alternatively, book an appointment with us to discuss with Citizens Advice who can refer you to their Debt Team and Crisis Team.

 

Disability Rights

In DAD, we value and believe in informed choices. We share information about disability rights and provide opportunities for disabled people to have their say on issues that affect them because it is important that their voice is heard and their needs are considered. Disability rights affects all of us as a society.

 The government is considering a bill to grant the Department of Work and Pensions access to the bank accounts of certain benefit recipients to monitor their accounts for income limit breaches and extended overseas use. A petition have been started to try and stop this: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-government-from-spying-on-all-of-our-bank-accounts 

 Changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) have been proposed too, which could lead to reduced support and the threat of sanctions for those unable to work. This is also being challenged through a petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-disabled-and-seriously-ill-people-from-unfair-benefits-reforms 

 If you would like any further information or support regarding the issues mentioned here, please get in touch and discuss with us.

 

Trustee Vacancies

Have you ever thought about being a Trustee? Do any of these statements describe you?

• I have skills in advocacy, finance or marketing.
• I’m passionate about the issues that impact on the lives of disabled people.
• I have knowledge of these issues in Tees Valley, County Durham, regionally or nationally.
• I have lived experience as a disabled person.
• I have some time available to contribute to an amazing local organisation supporting disabled people and carers across Tees Valley.

 If the answer is YES why not get in touch to find out more about what’s involved in one of the most important roles in any charitable organisation.

Trustees are required to oversee and provide governance to the running of the organisation.  DAD must be led by a majority of disabled people, and this will be taken account of, in any Trustee appointments.

Ideally, we are seeking people with skills and knowledge in Advocacy, Finance, HR or Marketing. 

DAD  supports equality, in all its forms, we are seeking Trustees who reflect our community who are currently underrepresented including: women, people from minority communities and young people.

There will be a selection process involving an informal interview with Trustees.

 For more information about being a trustee: ‘5-minute guides’ for charity trustees -  Charity Commission guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 If you are interested and would like further information please contact Lauren Robinson, Chief Executive by emailing lauren.robinson@darlingtondisability.org