Hampshire Advocacy
User Group for Blind &
Partially Sighted people
Charity No.: 1064730 Newsletter No. 20 September 2006
Website: www.hants.org.uk/hampshireadvocacy
Chairperson:
John Mundy, 8, Milton Road, Southampton SO15 2HR Tel. No. 023 80 493389
Competition Winner Sets Sail
pictured : Ruth Hollinshead
Ruth Hollinshead was the winner of HAUGBPS’s 10th Anniversary Competition which ran at the start of this year. The prize was a cruise on the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s second tall ship the Tenacious
Ruth set sail in July.
. 
pictured : Ruth Hollinsheads sons
Her two children were there to see her off on what she describes as a life changing experience.
The charity, The Jubilee Sailing Trust, owns and operates two tall ships, the LORD NELSON, and the TENACIOUS
These magnificent tall ships are the only two vessels in the world that have been purpose-designed and built to
enable a crew of mixed physical and sensory abilities to sail side by side on equal terms.
"I had the most fantastic 5 days, and can honestly say it was a life changing experience. The trip has taught me that with a little determination I can do anything, and has given me back some of the confidence I have been
lacking. I met some great people and am now saving to go again."
-Ruth Hollingshead
COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS
The Countryside Access Plan for the Solent covers an area which stretches across the south coast of Hampshire from Southampton eastwards to the border with West Sussex. We are being consulted as a user group and we have highlighted that access to the countryside for us, as visually impaired people, also needs to cover whether it is possible to reach the venues in the first place.
Other issues raised to date include:
•
Publicity and the internet should give clear directions and locations of places of interest.•
The venues should have good public transport links, separatepedestrian paths, tactile markings and clear signage.
•
Cyclists can be a danger of a degree that other groups fail to realise, as can horse riders. Both groups need to make all the disabled aware of their approach and behave with caution.At present visitors are mainly middle and higher income groups and special interest groups of Ramblers, equestrians, cyclists, water sports etc. A widening of the public using these resources is to be encouraged.
Please let us know of your concerns so that we can reflect them during consultation.
BRITISH GAS REBATES
British Gas is offering a Winter Rebate scheme to their customers who receive benefits including Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disability Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Income Based JSA, Pension Credit, Benefit, Income Support, Attendant Allowance, War Disablement Allowance or a War Pension. Households buying gas and / or electricity from British Gas, where someone in the house receives particular benefits, are eligible for the following rebates:
Gas £60 a year paid in two instalments - £30 in the last quarter’s bill in 2006 and £30 in the first quarter’s bill in2007.
Electricity £30 a year paid in two instalments - £15 in the last quarter’s of 2006 and £15 in the first quarter’s bill of2007. Families need to phone 0845 6012006 and have their British Gas and/or British Gas Electricity account number available. Registration is simple and effective for Autumn2006. There is a short registration period so you need to register as soon as possible.