Disabled (Burnley ) Slightly OT Request for Advice
Posted: 01 Jul 2016, 00:59
Right then, serious hat on and one is in a bit of confusion outside my knowledge ( Maybe Colin/Nolic can help - and I am asking advice of some other friends ). The wife didn't totally fill me in on the details last night so sorry its a bit late on asking. I understand she is also contacting Keith Whipp/Barry Matthews by phone if there is a spare minute in the morning.
The situation . Gentleman (ex Burnley Grammer School / Loughborough University and Lamberts in Burnley) for what its worth - moved over to Spain a few years back. Now he developed Type 1 diabetes and had a leg amputated over there. I understand that Spainish Medical systems/ medications are not free at point of delivery and subsequently his money has diminished and was effectively homeless with a deadline of 1st July to get out of the squat (can a 1 legged man do such a thing ?) he was in.
Anyway through 'friends' in UK he was encouraged to return to UK,and was advised that he should return to the area he last had association with (Burnley), which also suited hime as he does not think being near his friends further south will be benificial. Although he does have siblings in UK (Lancashire area I understand), one is not benificial for him to be in contact with , and the other is not beneficial to him for the chap to be in contact with ( thats even more of a long story - its a bit obscure but I dont want to breach confidences on a public forum ). Anyway the chaps 'friends' arranged and paid for flight into Manchester yesterday (Weds) in good faith with the assurance of suitable accomodation at Emmaus in Burnley. Now, either someone got their wires muddled or in part as apparently Emmaus Burnely and Emmaus Preston have merged (admin wise) and the supposed reserved disabled accomodation is unavalible (re-decoration/ refurb apparently). We have not checked out with Emmaus as yet due to time pressure - we were working through generally a working relationship with Emmaus Burnley but that got put on hold with the mother-in-laws death a while back which personally we have only recently sorted out to getting head around what we should be doing in Burnley in more recent weeks!
Now, I understand, for benefit claims in UK (or is it just Lancashire with Universal Credit / PiPs) that UK Citzens who have been out of UK for 2 plus years need (13 weeks /3months ?) waiting before a valid claim for assistance is eligible- I have not check the present rules so am not up to date - this is the main bit if anyone else knows for me quicker than I can find out.
So anyway, after a taxi picked the chap up from airport (with hand luggage) we ensured he got into B&B(national chain hotel) for Weds night, now it has been frustratingly protracted today getting anywhere with Burnley Social Services / Doctors at Park Surgery Burnley (Ohh we only have one doctor, whats your address - there aint one (!!) - the admin person is only on half day - can you come back tomorrow ), and he only has a very short supply of medication left. Meantime the national chain let out the room as the idea of reserving again for tonight (thurs) didnt occur to anyone - but he is in for 2 nights at another national chain ( which annoyingly we find has social services in burnley funding for last 3 months a Romainian? family - honestly I don't wish ill on their circumstances but one can see why more than a few people got the views they did last week). Our community funding is (relatively expensively) being raided for the accomodation costs and a friend/church member we hope can fund for Sunday night if needed. The immediate plan is to go through the doctor registration process again(**) / try to get sense out of Burnley Social Services /Figure out what Emmaus are actually doing in the whole plan going forward. He is not overly tied to Burnley and If need be I am checking out possible long term solutions down here in London , and/or we can see if St Andrews in Barnoldswick or St Peters in Leeds have a space IF the Emmaus situation really is a no-go for now.
I cannot remember what the older persons flats were run by in Barnoldswick I seem to recall they normally had a couple of vacancies at any one time - If anyone knows current situation that will be helpful to let me know.
(**) If Drs no further clued in then we're up to Barnoldswick, I think we will get better response there !)
Anyway , as said the main bit of Advice I need is on the benefit claim entitlement as many places will not take persons without funding , and I am not certain if our own Manchester Housing Unit has any suitable space for a 50year old disabled person either which would normally be our preferred choice if Emmaus are unable to help.
If he stays in the Burnley/Pendle area we can - maybe with other churches - give the general community support he may need, but ideally he wishes to be independent, but simply needs accomodation suitable to his needs asap.
Thanks and sorry for asking here, but I have never got a similar community forum in Burnley sussed out as yet.
The situation . Gentleman (ex Burnley Grammer School / Loughborough University and Lamberts in Burnley) for what its worth - moved over to Spain a few years back. Now he developed Type 1 diabetes and had a leg amputated over there. I understand that Spainish Medical systems/ medications are not free at point of delivery and subsequently his money has diminished and was effectively homeless with a deadline of 1st July to get out of the squat (can a 1 legged man do such a thing ?) he was in.
Anyway through 'friends' in UK he was encouraged to return to UK,and was advised that he should return to the area he last had association with (Burnley), which also suited hime as he does not think being near his friends further south will be benificial. Although he does have siblings in UK (Lancashire area I understand), one is not benificial for him to be in contact with , and the other is not beneficial to him for the chap to be in contact with ( thats even more of a long story - its a bit obscure but I dont want to breach confidences on a public forum ). Anyway the chaps 'friends' arranged and paid for flight into Manchester yesterday (Weds) in good faith with the assurance of suitable accomodation at Emmaus in Burnley. Now, either someone got their wires muddled or in part as apparently Emmaus Burnely and Emmaus Preston have merged (admin wise) and the supposed reserved disabled accomodation is unavalible (re-decoration/ refurb apparently). We have not checked out with Emmaus as yet due to time pressure - we were working through generally a working relationship with Emmaus Burnley but that got put on hold with the mother-in-laws death a while back which personally we have only recently sorted out to getting head around what we should be doing in Burnley in more recent weeks!
Now, I understand, for benefit claims in UK (or is it just Lancashire with Universal Credit / PiPs) that UK Citzens who have been out of UK for 2 plus years need (13 weeks /3months ?) waiting before a valid claim for assistance is eligible- I have not check the present rules so am not up to date - this is the main bit if anyone else knows for me quicker than I can find out.
So anyway, after a taxi picked the chap up from airport (with hand luggage) we ensured he got into B&B(national chain hotel) for Weds night, now it has been frustratingly protracted today getting anywhere with Burnley Social Services / Doctors at Park Surgery Burnley (Ohh we only have one doctor, whats your address - there aint one (!!) - the admin person is only on half day - can you come back tomorrow ), and he only has a very short supply of medication left. Meantime the national chain let out the room as the idea of reserving again for tonight (thurs) didnt occur to anyone - but he is in for 2 nights at another national chain ( which annoyingly we find has social services in burnley funding for last 3 months a Romainian? family - honestly I don't wish ill on their circumstances but one can see why more than a few people got the views they did last week). Our community funding is (relatively expensively) being raided for the accomodation costs and a friend/church member we hope can fund for Sunday night if needed. The immediate plan is to go through the doctor registration process again(**) / try to get sense out of Burnley Social Services /Figure out what Emmaus are actually doing in the whole plan going forward. He is not overly tied to Burnley and If need be I am checking out possible long term solutions down here in London , and/or we can see if St Andrews in Barnoldswick or St Peters in Leeds have a space IF the Emmaus situation really is a no-go for now.
I cannot remember what the older persons flats were run by in Barnoldswick I seem to recall they normally had a couple of vacancies at any one time - If anyone knows current situation that will be helpful to let me know.
(**) If Drs no further clued in then we're up to Barnoldswick, I think we will get better response there !)
Anyway , as said the main bit of Advice I need is on the benefit claim entitlement as many places will not take persons without funding , and I am not certain if our own Manchester Housing Unit has any suitable space for a 50year old disabled person either which would normally be our preferred choice if Emmaus are unable to help.
If he stays in the Burnley/Pendle area we can - maybe with other churches - give the general community support he may need, but ideally he wishes to be independent, but simply needs accomodation suitable to his needs asap.
Thanks and sorry for asking here, but I have never got a similar community forum in Burnley sussed out as yet.