Articles in Author: Ben Clark

Articles in Euthanasia & Assisted Dying

    An elderly man lies in a hospital bed. He is gazing wistfully out of a window, and holding a mug in his hands.

    Assisted Suicide: Five Hours Is Not Long Enough

    Ben Clark

    Kim Leadbeater MP has introduced a Private Members Bill (PMB) to legalise the medical killing of patients in certain circumstances. BuDS has once again called on Ms Leadbeater to withdraw her bill to allow time for a Royal Commission to be set up to thoroughly explore the issue of Assisted Dying and make evidence-based recommendations for a change in the law. We think dying people deserve nothing less.

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    An image of two hospital beds beside each other, with a white curtain partially separating them.

    BuDS’ Statement on DWP Work Coaches in Mental Health Hospitals

    Ben Clark

    User led disability charity Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS) has criticised as ‘frightening and counter-productive’ Liz Kendall MP’s statement to the BBC that DWP Work Coaches will be offering employment support to inpatients in mental health hospitals.

    In a statement issued by the charity, the Chair of Trustees, Andrew Clark, said:

    “As a charity, we feel well qualified to speak on this matter. Not only does BuDS include people with mental health conditions, many of whom have been inpatients, but we support many people with mental health issues into work through our Reach4Work project. That project was led until recently by a person with bipolar affective disorder – see https://buds.org.uk/buds-bipolar-and-me-my-journey-with-reach4work/

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    A image of the head and shoulders of a woman wearing a pink woollen hat and winter coat, stood atop a mountain with larger mountains in the background. She is smiling at the camera.

    Thriving with ADHD: Top Coping Strategies for Everyday Life

    Ben Clark 1 Comment

    Written by Janneke Elford, BuDS HR and Projects Manager

    “If you’re reading this, chances are you, or someone you know is dealing with ADHD. It’s no walk in the park (cue Jurassic Park quotes now stuck in my head), but with the right strategies, you can manage the challenges and more importantly, harness the strengths within your neurodiverse brain! Here’s a quick guide to some ADHD-friendly coping strategies to help you navigate life a bit more smoothly.

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    A man and a woman stand at either end of a two-metre long blue banner, outside the wall of a pub with the words "The Dinton Hermit" painted on it

    Fair4All Card Decision Makers

    Ben Clark

    Could you help disabled people live more independently? Have you experience of making evidence-based decisions, e.g. as a case worker or regulator? BuDS is recruiting Fair4All Card Decision Makers.

    Fair4All Card Decision Makers are volunteers who help BuDS to decide whether someone is entitled to a Fair4All Card. The Fair4All Card is a secure photocard issued only to disabled people which confirms that the holder is a disabled person in law, and lists “reasonable adjustments” that they are entitled to in their everyday lives. Card holders show the Card to retailers, service providers, and others they meet when they need to. The Card is an important aid for disabled people to live independently as it helps them get the support they are legally entitled to receive.

    The front of a sample BuDS Fair4All Card. At the top left is the blue and yellow BuDS Fair4All logo. At the top centre is the text "Issued and verified by Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS)". In the centre and left of the card is the text "The card holder is a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010 and is legally entitled to reasonable adjustments for their disability". On the right hand side of the card is the image of the card holder, with their name and card number below it.
    The back of a sample Fair4All Card. At the top is the statement: "The card holder is legally entitled to reasonable adjustments. Please accept that they:". This is followed by a list of sample reasonable adjustments, including "may need alternative communication methods in place of lip reading". At the bottom left is a disclaimer stating that the card is the property of BuDS, and at the bottom right is the blue and yellow oval BuDS logo.
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