Caring4OurKids have recently reached out to us. 

The organisation is a group of parents who have children on the Autism Spectrum or who suffer from inflammatory diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Recent studies suggest a link between these conditions.  We each know how overwhelming it can be when your child is first diagnosed.  As well, we understand the daily struggle as well as the joys of raising these very special children.  We have come together to curate and create resources that have been helpful to us in the hopes that these will help other parents struggling to care for and to help their children thrive.

Having met a little chap who exploded at the sound of a baby crying, at a model train exhibition this weekend - we can attest to how challenging children with autism can be having talked to one of the lads parents. 

Here are a few resourses sent to us:

Legal Resources for Special Needs

Keeping Disabled Persons Safe While Remodeling
Creating a Home Where Your Disabled Child can Thrive
Teacher Resources for Special Needs
Disability and Credit Scores
Disability Resources from the Department of Labor
Tips for Disabled Persons to Declutter and Organize their Home
Financial Planning for Special Needs

You can find the organisation by clicking below:

Former Department of Work & Pensions minister Stephen Crabb has apologised for sexting a 19-year-old woman after he interviewed her for a job. The Tory MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, 44, has admitted to sending "explicit" messages to the teenager in 2013. Mr Crabb resigned last year as a cabinet minister following reports of another incident.

At least four MPs have been caught up in various allegations of sexual misconduct. According to the Daily Mirror Tory staffers have compiled a list naming 36 of the party’s Cabinet ministers and MPs of inappropriate sexual behaviour, it was reported last night.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned of a "warped and degrading culture" where the abuse of women had gone unchallenged for too long.

Image: Jeremy Corbyn

Cherry Lam has been volunteering for ABC for one month. Although it is a short period of time, she knows a lot more about the running of a charity organisation. Cherry is responsible for adding directories to the organisation website according to categories. Joining this placement helped her improving skills and gaining new experiences. Cherry says is extremely appreciative of the support she has received from ABC which allowed her to improve skills.

Joanie joined ABC team in early 2017. She was one of six student volunteers from the University of Essex in that cohort. The student team focused on a range of projects, including creation of Wikipedia page,‘training manual’ and most importantly, researching and adding entries to the website directory of organisations that assist the unwaged, or those on low incomes. “This placement was very helpful - thanks for the opportunity Simon.”

Theresa May has announced a U-turn over plans to apply the Local Housing Allowance cap to supported housing, a move that could have hit thousands of elderly and vulnerable people. The Liberal Democrats have now called on the government to also U-turn on its decision to scrap housing benefit for 18-21 year-olds.

Thousands of people in Swansea could be “plunged into debt” when universal credit replaces their current benefit arrangements, according to the leader of the council.

A worried Rob Stewart fears homelessness could rise, and wants people affected by the new payment system to consider using a credit union to help manage their money.

Universal credit is gradually replacing six existing means-tested benefits. It is intended to simplify the benefit system and improve work incentives, and comes into force in Swansea in December on a phased basis.

A report commissioned by the council has estimated that 16,770 households in the city will be affected by universal credit, which is paid in arrears.

If the new system was introduced now, the report said:

9,300 households would have a lower benefit entitlement under universal credit and would need “transitional protection” payments

3,666 households would have a higher income under universal credit

3,804 households would see no change in entitlement.

The headline statistic ringing alarm bells in the Guildhall is that the disposable income of working-age households who receive benefits would fall by an average of £46 per week by 2020 compared to now. This £46 figure takes into account rising inflation and expected rent rises.

These trends would push an increasing proportion of Universal credit recipients into the worse-off bracket, notwithstanding rises in the national living wage and an increase in the personal allowance threshold before which tax is deducted from earners.

“I think people have an idea that universal credit is coming,” said Mr Stewart. “Some people think the changes are already in place. But I think they will be shocked and surprised.

“The majority of changes are still to come into force. The impacts will be felt everywhere in Swansea, but will be greatest in the east.

“We are really concerned that we are going to see people plunged into debt in numbers not seen before, and an upsurge in people seeking help from food banks.”

Mr Stewart said the council wanted to help people in need, for example those who might struggle to manage rent payments which previously went straight to their landlord.

“We would take a considered approach to (housing) evictions,” said the Labour leader. “We can get advice services to help stop people falling into debt.”

Asked if he feared homelessness would rise in Swansea, he replied: “That is a real concern for us. It is happening elsewhere. Swansea is not immune.

“The council is acting as a safety net, and we will continue to do that. My concern is the net might not be big enough.”

He said Swansea’s two credit unions, Celtic Credit Union and My Community Bank, were good options for managing finances and paying off short-term debts.

The report by Policy in Practice said the reform of welfare was a complicated subject. Changes to the amount that households can earn before claiming a benefit called tax credit are key to the universal credit number-crunching.

“The result is that universal credit will in most cases be less generous than the current tax credit system overall,” said the report. “The impact of universal credit is complex, and the winners and losers will depend upon the level of earnings, and household type.”

It concluded that the impact by 2020 “portrays an alarming picture” for Swansea residents, adding that the council “will have to support many people who will be negatively affected by a combination of reforms”.

One element of universal credit — a wait of six weeks for the first payment — was roundly denounced at a Swansea Council meeting on Thursday, where all parties put their names to a motion calling upon the UK Government to pause, rethink and fix the new system.

Labour councillor Jen Raynor said universal credit would drain money out of the Swansea economy.

“It should not only be delayed, it should be stopped,” she said.

Consumer charity Citizens Advice has previously warned that universal credit was “a disaster waiting to happen”, undermining its good intentions.

Its analysis for people trialling the new system found that 79% of people had rent, council tax or energy bill debts, compared to 69% previously.

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy urged Westminster leaders to reduce the six-week wait for the first payment.

She said: “While the principles behind universal credit are sound, our evidence shows that if the Government continues to take this stubborn approach to the expansion of universal credit, it risks pushing thousands of families into a spiral of debt, and placing an even greater strain on public services.

“People face severe consequences, like visits from bailiffs and eviction, when they can’t pay their bills.”

This week she welcomed a House of Commons committee’s call to cut the six-week wait to four weeks.

“Any reduction to this period would be good news,” she said.

ABC Note: Labour are talking about 4 billion increase on welfare spending but the government has cut 15 billion pounds.  

The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) is a registered charity working to prevent and reduce stress, advocating best practice in stress management. We raise the profile of stress and mental health issues and campaign against the stigma associated with them.

International Stress Awareness Day (INSAD) is ISMA’s flagship event. INSAD’s purpose is to publicise stress and mental health issues, while promoting the importance of stress prevention and wellbeing for individuals and organisations.

Founded as National Stress Awareness Day by Carole Spiers, Chair of ISMA^UK, in 1998, its success has led to INSAD spreading overseas and it is now promoted around the world.

The nineteenth INSAD on 1^st November 2017 is themed ‘Speak Up and Speak Out About Stress’. 

Image: Carole Spiers founder of INSAD

Do you want to find out how much you are entitled to on Universal Credit.

If you currently receive any of these benefits, you can’t claim Universal Credit at the same time.

Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK. You don’t need to do anything until you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving to Universal Credit, unless you have a change in circumstances.

Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:

Child Tax Credit

Housing Benefit

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Working Tax Credit

Please click on the logo below and use the Policy in Practice UK calculator:

 ABC Note: You will also find a link at the bottom of the page.  

As average weekly earnings in Wales fall to the lowest of all the UK regions, Plaid Cymru has warned that it’s time for both the UK and Welsh Government to begin investing in people.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price said that the figures show that austerity has failed Wales.

He said that now was the time to bring forward ambitious capital investment projects, such as upgrades to infrastructure, and for the Welsh Government to support Welsh businesses to grow and prosper.

Image: Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price.  

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price said:

“Average weekly wages in Wales are now £52 below the UK average and are the lowest in the UK. It is a clear illustration of the Welsh and UK Governments’ failure in its duty to the people of Wales.

“The Tories’ arbitrary austerity agenda has failed, and it has failed Wales more than anywhere else.

Meanwhile the Labour government in Wales has failed to deliver the economic growth we need.

“It’s time to abandon the culture of cuts; it has led to nothing but economic decline. It’s time to invest in our people and our communities.

“Plaid Cymru has long called for capital investment to upgrade infrastructure across the whole of Wales. We have put forward innovative finance models to counter the austerity agenda, so that we can create jobs, boost the economy and put money in people’s pockets.

“We also need the Welsh Government to start prioritising investment in Welsh-based businesses through the Welsh Development Bank, and bring to an end its policy of providing free cash to large foreign owned companies that bring little or no long-term benefit to the Welsh economy.

 “People in Wales are often locked in to a low wage cycle. It’s time to break the cycle and unlock economic growth.”

Manchester City Council has committed to delivering pay protections to its employees working in the care sector, including paying staff the voluntary living wage and providing occupational sick pay.

The commitment forms part of trade union Unison’s ethical care charter, which Manchester City Council signed on 23 October 2017. The charter provides minimum standards for residential and home care providers, and sets out a series of protections for care staff. This includes paying employees the voluntary living wage rate of at least £8.45 an hour, not using zero hours contracts, providing occupational sick pay and regular free training opportunities, as well as setting out a clear and accountable process for staff to raise concerns.

Under the charter agreement, Manchester City Council has also committed to paying home care staff for their travel time and expenses, as well as providing opportunities for employees to meet together in order to avoid potential isolation. The ethical care charter also requires that residential care staff are paid for unsocial hours and sleep-ins.