R E M A P Some of you may have heard of this organisation who provide specially designed equipment to improve independence and help with daily activities. This free service is run by volunteers who either adapt an existing piece of equipment to suit individual needs or design a new product from scratch. The client’s needs are assessed by Occupational Therapists, and all products are risk assessed by Remap. The range of ingenious and practical devices created or adapted by Remap are impressive and come highly recommended by clients and health professionals.† If anyone is interested in seeing a selection of devices, Remap’s project database can be found on http://www.remapedia.org.uk/ or ring Head Office on 08451300456. We hope to arrange for a speaker to visit later in the year, so if anyone has any particular problems that they can’t quite get to grips with, Remap might be the answer!
************ TELEPHONE SCAM We have received the following information from another group and felt it would be worthwhile passing it on. The new telephone scam’ has arrived. A member received a call from a‘representative’ of BT, informing him that he was being disconnected because of an unpaid bill. The ‘representative’ demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn’t even fazed when told that the member was with Virgin Media – allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! The member asked for his name – the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very foreign accent, and a phone number 0800 152 0800. Obviously the chap realized our member wasn’t believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. The member asked ‘how’ and was told to hang up and try phoning someone – he would disconnect his phone to prevent this. AND HE DID! The member’s phone was dead – no engaged tone, nothing – until he phoned again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. The member asked how payment was to be made and he said credit card, there and then. The member said that he didn’t know how the chap had done it, but had absolutely no intention of paying him. He didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. The member dialed 1471 and phoned the fictitious 0800 number – not recognised. The member telephoned the police to let them know – and found out that he wasn’t the first to do so!! It has only just started apparently but it is escalating. Police advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it is real, so please make as many friends and family aware of this. This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number – it should have been 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple – he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out – but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it.) When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it could certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account. ************ New Carers' Information Service: Carers Direct A freephone Carers Helpline is available seven days a week and the number is 0808 802 0202. ************ Many of you may be interested in a book of poems by Paul Martin, called "No Rhyme or Reason". Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age 33. The book can be purchased online at ; http://www.noreasonforparkinsons.com/ and it is promoted by the Parkinson's UK. Here is the Foreword, written by the Parkinson's UK's President, Jane Asher. ************
Cambridgeshire Registered Trader Scheme is to help people aged 60 years and over. List of traders, CRB checked and they have passed the strict auditing process of Cambridgeshire Trading Standards. The scheme should ensure that traders do a “fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay” and using this list of registered and checked traders could prevent older and vulnerable residents being taken for a ride by cowboy companies and avoid rogue traders. Trading Standards/Registered Trader, Cambs County Council, PO Box 40, Cambridge CB3 6ZR -Telephone 01354 696677. Website: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/trading/services/trader_scheme.htm ************ Tax Relief for Disabled People Items that have been designed solely for use by disabled people are zero rated. Items such as orthopaedic beds or reclining chairs, however, are not zero rated. Electrically adjustable beds, stair-lifts, lifting seat chairs are zero rated. For more detailed information, contact HM Customs and Excise, telephone 0845 010 9000, referring to Notice 701/7 August 2002. ************ New Legacy marketing materials By choosing to support the PDS in your Will, you will be helping to ensure that vital information, support and research activities can be continued. To make this easier, there is a new promotional leaflet which will give all the information you need for making or updating your Will. If you would like any more information on leaving a Legacy to the PDS or the leaflet, please call Jenna Mawji 020 7963 9306 or email ************ Selling on eBay to benefit the PDS ************ Outside Clinic – Eye Testing at Home Lloyds Pharmacy advertise the services of the Outside Clinic, Community Opticians who will provide home eye testing anywhere in the UK to any individuals, entitled to a free NHS sight test*, who are unable to attend a High Street Optician without help or assistance. Full eye examinations and eye health checks are carried out by fully qualified optometrists. They also offer a complete spectacle dispensing service. If you would like to receive a leaflet phone 0800 85 44 77 directly to the OUTSIDE CLINIC community opticians.
Income support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. Working Tax credit and are named on a Tax credit NHS Exemption Certificate. ************
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If you have trouble getting in and out of stores and other ************ Hunts Shopmobility Comes to St Ives ************ |
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