An Iraq War veteran who was blinded in conflict has been shortlisted in the prestigious ‘People’s Choice’ category sponsored by the Sunday Express in the seventh annual Soldiering On Awards.

Simon Brown, 38 and from Leeds, was nominated for the award by national military charity Blind Veterans UK, which has supported him since he lost his sight.

The Soldiering On Awards provide national recognition for the outstanding achievements of those who have served their country and individuals and groups who work together with the Armed Forces community.

The winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ category is determined by the public in an online vote on the Express Online website. Voting is now open and closes on 17 March.

Simon says: “I am truly honoured to have been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award. After ten years of ups and downs, it is important to reflect on how far I have come. For my peers to nominate me is a huge source of confidence and inspires me to keep going.

“It is a real honour to have my story featured alongside so many other inspiring finalists. We have all overcome incredible challenges and done great work.”

Simon joined the Army in May 1997 as a mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (2 Lancashire). It was just over ten years ago, when he was a Corporal on tour in Iraq, that Simon’s life changed forever.

On 6 December 2006, after Simon had successfully led a mission to rescue six stranded soldiers in Basra, he was shot in the face by a sniper.

The bullet entered Simon’s left cheek and exited through his right, causing severe facial injuries. Simon was given emergency treatment in Basra and put into an induced coma.

Seventeen days later, Simon woke up in a hospital in Birmingham, where he was told that his left eye was destroyed and there was little hope for sight in his right eye.

Simon says: “That was the point when my world fell apart. When I heard the four words ‘You’ve lost your sight,’ it sounded to me like my life was over.”

Fortunately Simon found out about Blind Veterans UK and started to receive free practical support from the charity. This included a rehabilitation programme to help him adjust to sight loss and go on to live independently.

(Left to Right) Vikki Michelle, Rt Hon Earl Howe PC, Minister of State in the House of Lords (Soldiering On Patron), Simon Brown, Wing Commander Tal Lambert MBE

Simon says: “As well as all the invaluable and practical support offered by Blind Veterans UK, it was the sense of belonging and understanding from their community that’s really helped me to stay positive.”

Since his injury, Simon has dedicated himself to working with charitable and voluntary organisations and using his experience to motivate others.

Six years after Simon first started to receive the charity’s free support, he started working in Blind Veterans UK’s Headquarters as a Communications and Engagement Officer, responsible for reaching out to more blind veterans who could benefit from the charity’s support.

In the past year Simon has spoken about his experience with Blind Veterans UK at 72 events ranging from national conferences to local support groups, from Glasgow to Jersey.

As well as providing vital work for Blind Veterans UK, Simon is a Help For Heroes Band of Brothers Ambassador. Since 2013 Simon has also been involved in a project with Derbyshire Police called Your Choice. As part of this scheme he speaks to GCSE students about the importance of the need to be responsible for their actions.

Simon said: “Iraq changed me just as much mentally as it did physically, and ten years on the scars are still there. Blind Veterans UK helped me through the very worst times and for that I am grateful. Spreading the word about the work of the charity as much as I can is my way of saying thank you for everything they have given me.”

The winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ category will be announced on the evening of the Soldiering On Awards, which will take place on 24 March at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London.

Please go to www.blindveterans.org.uk/simon for details of how to vote for Simon on the Express Online website. Voting closes on 17 March.

Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, providing vital practical and emotional support to help veterans discover life beyond sight loss. The charity estimates that there are currently 59,000 blind veterans that would be eligible to access its specialist support, most of whom are not currently aware of it.

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces or did National Service and are now battling severe sight loss, find out how Blind Veterans UK could help by calling 0800 389 7979 or visiting noonealone.org.uk.

Fundraisers at local charity Stick ‘n’ Step are appealing for people to step up and step out on this year’s Wirral Coastal Walk to help them raise funds. The charity provides free conductive education to children with cerebral palsy, which encourages confidence, independence and mobility.

Stick ‘n’ Step takes part in the famous walk every year and this year hopes to field its biggest team so far, with a target of attracting more than 200 people to its walking team.

The annual event, organised by the Rotary Club of North Wirral, will take place on Sunday 18 June. Covering 15 miles of coastal path, the route starts from Seacombe Ferry and ends at Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre at Thurstaston. Options of shorter distances are available with alternative completion points after four and ten miles.

Hettie Miles, Corporate and Community Fundraiser, Stick ‘n’ Step, said, “We hope lots of people will come and join us on this remarkable event to help us raise money for children across the region. It’s a great day out and with the different distances available, it’s very suitable for all ages and abilities.”

To take part in the 2017 Wirral Coastal Walk to raise money for Stick ‘n’ Step, please contact Hettie Miles on 0151 638 0888 or email hettie@sticknstep.org.

As part of the celebration, guests had the opportunity to tour the centre to see key improvements that have been made in the last 18 months and to watch children enjoying the activities on offer. Centre manager George Jones told guests his future plans for Barnstondale – and its next fundraising focus – the Target Hub.  Guests were also treated to an entertaining talk by Sir Jon Murphy, the recently-retired Chief Constable of Merseyside, who recounted experiences from an expansive and interesting career spanning over 40 years as a serving police officer.

The official proceedings were followed by a buffet lunch and then the children were presented with achievement certificates.  Commented George Jones, centre manager:  “Our supporters are so important to us and we were keen to take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to them.  I always think it’s so much easier to show people what you have done than try to explain it.  When visitors leave Barnstondale they have a real sense of what we are trying to achieve and the difference we can make to the children who visit us.

“Our latest fundraising endeavour, the Target Hub, is the next key investment for the centre.  To have a purpose built, all-weather, inclusive environment for all our different target activities will offer real benefits to our children – especially with the climate on the Wirral!”

Barnstondale Centre is an inclusive adventure and activity centre, which features both on-site accommodation in log cabins and apartments, and a range of indoor and outdoor pursuits, for children and young adults of all ages and abilities. Activities available include climbing, archery, abseiling, kayaking, target shooting and orienteering, as well as a range of sports. The centre is situated in 15 acres of Wirral woodland. As a registered charity, Barnstondale relies on donations and fundraising to continue its work.

For more information about Barnstondale visit www.barnstondale.org or call Heidi Hughes, Business Director at Barnstondale on 0151 648 1412.

A group of people with learning disabilities and autism have been given the opportunity to go horse-riding for the first time at the country’s most prestigious racecourse.

This is the first in a series of events celebrating Aintree’s year-long partnership with Hft, a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, and Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), whose horses provide therapy and enjoyment for people with disabilities.

Ten adults from Bradford, aged between 20 and 35, spent the morning of Wednesday 8 March at the iconic racecourse, getting to know the horses and learning the basics of riding in the Parade Ring. The group also took part in the Grand National history tour with Aintree’s Historian Jane Clarke, as well as visiting the weighing room and trying on jockey silks.

For Neil, who has learning disabilities, said: “It was magnificent. A bit different from what I’m used to! It was a good experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

 The group are part of Hft’s Aim High project in Bradford, which organises twice-weekly activities promoting health and wellbeing. Participants are given the opportunity to build on particular areas of knowledge or skills, such as healthy eating or swimming, and are rewarded with badges to mark their achievement.

On Wednesday the group were working towards their specially-designed Horse-riding badge, which will be awarded to all participants who master skills like mounting the horse and grooming.

“The people we support have never been horse-riding before, so they have really been looking forward to today,” said support worker Amy Burston. “That’s why these partnerships are so important – they give people the chance to try something new and different in a safe environment. It’s also an opportunity for us to build relationships in the community and create wider awareness about the work that Hft does with people with learning disabilities.”

Grant Rowley, Jockey Club NW Communications Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the RDA and Hft to provide this unique opportunity for local people to try horseriding for the first time at the home of the Randox Health Grand National.

“The Aintree Community Programme is in its third year and is going from strength to strength. It aims to inspire local adults and children through the power of horseracing and the Grand National and our riding for disabled sessions with great partners like Hft are just one of many activities we’re looking to expand. We look forward to many more opportunities for local children and adults in the coming months and years.”

Liz Lege, Trustee at Beechley stables, said: “Beechely RDA are delighted to have been invited once again to take part in this special event with Aintree racecourse and Hft. Days like this are a real celebration of what the stables can do in partnership with other organisations for the riders with disabilities. Everyone has had a wonderful time and it is a day we can all be proud of.”

As part of the partnership, Hft’s mobile, purpose-built Smarthouse will be on display at the newly launched Peter O’Sullevan Community Hub, which is the focal point of Aintree’s Community Programme. Visitors to the Smarthouse can experience an interactive demonstration of the types of technology used by Hft to help the people they support live the best life possible.

The Corseford Scouts meet intu Braehead’s community development manager, Lydia Brown, front row right with, from left, Scout group treasurer, Suzanne Wales and Scout group leader, Samantha Courtney

SCOUTS who are disabled can now ‘be prepared’ to enjoy going camping thanks to a donation from the intu Braehead Community Fund.

The shopping and leisure destination has given £500 to the 98th Renfrewshire Corseford Scouts to help buy a mobile hoist, which would allow disabled young people attend Scout camps.

The Corseford Scouts have 14 members, both boys and girls, between the ages of eight and 21 and are based at the charity, Capability Scotland’s Corseford School, in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire.

A mobile hoist costs almost £2000 and thanks to the donation from intu Braehead, the Scout group has been given a boost in their fundraising efforts.

Scout Group treasurer Suzanne Wales said:

“This is a fabulous gesture from intu Braehead and once we get the hoist, it will mean more youngsters can go to Scout camp.

“At the moment some of our members can’t stay at camp overnight because they need this type of equipment. It will make a huge difference to them and their parents.

“It’s important that our youngsters can experience camp like all the other Scouts.

“It will also give the children some dignity so they don’t have to be physically lifted by their parents.”

Community development manager at intu Braehead, Lydia Brown said:

“The people running the Corseford Scouts deserve all the help they can get.

“It’s important the youngsters get a chance to enjoy the benefits of being in the Scouts and going to camp is part of that experience.”

In his Spring Budget, the Chancellor pledged an additional £2billion of funding for the social care sector over the next three years. By the Chancellor’s own admission, this funding was to act as a “bridge” before the Better Care Fund came online in 2018. Hft has long argued that the Better Care Fund, which is designed to cover both the Health and Social Care sector, is simply not enough to plug the funding gaps in both sectors. Similarly, this cash injection of £2billion over three years will be a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated £4.5billion the Health Select Committee recently claimed was needed.

Many private enterprises both inside and outside the social care sector will welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that Corporation Tax will fall to 17% by 2020, however for organisations such as Hft this will not offer any relief from our ongoing financial pressures. Unlike our for-profit counterparts, Hft is a charity, and is therefore exempt from paying Corporation Tax. Instead we invest any financial surpluses back in to our services and other charitable projects.

The announcement of a Green Paper set to comprehensively review social care funding is to be welcomed. However, Hft is concerned that a lengthy consultation will simply delay essential funding reform that the sector urgently needs. Ahead of the budget, Hft warned that, according to our research, three quarters of the learning disability sector will be running at a deficit by the end of this government. 55% of those surveyed claimed that they would be running at a deficit “within the next two years”. Our concern is that, for the majority of those in the learning disabilities sector, the conclusions of the planned Green Paper will simply come too late.

Outside of social care funding, Hft also noted that, for all his talk of creating an “inclusive economy”, there was no mention of the Government’s recent Improving Lives green paper, or indeed any mentions of ways in which people with learning disabilities will be included in this “inclusive growth”, or how the government plans to assist people into meaningful supported employment opportunities.

Mr. Hammond’s announcements come against the backdrop of revelations from BBC Surrey, which last night broadcast leaked tapes of the leader of Surrey County Council describing a “gentleman’s agreement” between Surrey County Council and the Government. The funding of vital social care services should be above politics. Hft therefore welcomes Jeremy Corbyn’s call for the Prime Minister to “place in the Library of the House a record of all one-to-one meetings between the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Chancellor and any council leader or chair of social services anywhere in England.”

Whilst Hft will of course respond to the Green Paper consultation, and continue to enter into meaningful conversations with ministries and local authorities, this Spring Budget offers too little too late for a sector that even CQC recognises is now at a “financial tipping point.”

Robert Longley-Cook

Chief Executive, Hft

www.hft.org.uk

Following today’s Spring Budget [8 March], national disability charity, Sense, has responded to the news that the Government plans to ease the current financial pressures facing social care by delivering £2billion over the next three years, alongside a new green paper focusing on the future of the sector.

The national disability charity, which supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, has been calling for urgent investment into the collapsing social care market, alongside a considered plan for its sustainability.

Richard Kramer, Deputy CEO of disability charity Sense, said:        

“There will be a sigh of relief amongst the social care sector, as the Government finally responds to its cries for help with a promise to invest the funds it desperately needs right now. The Government’s plans will abate the pressing financial woes currently threatening to overwhelm the system and will offer short-term stabilisation. However, the reality is that money alone is not enough to save social care from collapse and the future of these essential services hinges on the development of a long-term strategy.

“We hope that today’s announcement signifies the start of genuine reform, and that the upcoming green paper highlights the Government’s long-term commitment to protect and improving social care services, rather than delivering stop-gap solutions to keep it afloat.

“Although the chancellor’s speech focused entirely on older people, he should not forget that many disabled people also rely on social care services to enable them to live independently, with dignity and as active members of their communities, which is why the protection of these vital services is so important.

We look forward to working with the Government on the upcoming green paper to ensure it focuses on a long-term strategy that guarantees a sustainable system that can provide quality support for all those who need it.”

Sense is a national charity that supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, to enjoy more independent lives. More information on sense can be found at, www.sense.org.uk.