“Changing Places” is the name of a UK campaign to improve public toilet facilities for those of us with severe disabilities.

A new facility has just been opened at the back of the St Helier Town Hall in Seale Street and should be in full operation by the time that this blog hits the stratosphere. Admission to the facility is strictly controlled in accordance with user criteria and requires a “swipe card”

Enquiries should be addressed to the Town Hall tel. 811811 for details.

For this video we looked at the toilet facility and interviewed some of those in attendance for what was billed as the “public opening.”

Of course as a mere blogger we received no press release and just turned up on the day having heard about on BBC Radio Jersey.

We video recorded the ceremony and proceeded to interview some of those present alongside the BBC reporter but having done this without complaint Deputy Hilton then got to work over the orange juice to agitate those interviewed.

As a result of this intervention several said they did not want to be posted on the blog so that is why the faces of those speaking do not appear here.

Deputy Hilton, that well known protector of  freedom of expression further explained that she would be reporting fully to Scrutiny about my appalling behaviour – especially because “I” have made life so difficult for “them” at Scrutiny in the past….It is nice to be appreciated.

Deputy Hilton will no doubt also be promoting the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities as a priority now in Jersey….

This all prompted me to return to the empty facility the day following in order to video again and this turned out to be doubly useful.

In fact the room is bigger than it appears when full of people and is much better designed than it seemed. It is about the size of a double bedroom. Certainly much larger than the average bathroom and has been produced in consultation with Changing Places – see www.changing-places.org/   or  changingplaces_blog.aspx

(sorry but I cannot do links),

The WC is a combined bidet/wc (standard in Japan for everybody’s use but very rare in Britain).

The wash basin is adjustable in height.

The hoist is on a double track so that all parts of the room can be accessed. Thus a user can be hoisted from wheelchair to WC or changing platform or to the wash basin and back to wheelchair. This is very important – but the user must provide his or her own sling – so must be planning in advance to use this facility.

Presumably the user must also come equipped with own towels and clean clothes - and it was a very sunny warm day for the May opening - hopefully it will be just as snug in mid-February.

Of course this facility is not cheap. The equipment is expensive.  About £88,000 they advised and of course the structure of the building already existed. So something built afresh could be well over £100,000 and we should bear in mind that the Home Disabilities Adaptations Fund operated by Social Services only has a total annual budget of £50,000 and that is not ever spent!!! Wonder why?

This facility has been funded through public/charitable involvement but the Health Department proposal for future Care in the Community proposes that more aged or disabled people will look after themselves in their own homes – not in “institutional” care at all.

Obviously very few private homes could be altered to this standard – even if the funds were available and these issues were discussed on this blog in previous postings.

See the video interviews for 5^th and 6^th January 2012 and listen to what Paul Harding (Architect) or Senator Le Gresley (Minister for Social Security) had to say on these particular matters.

If you are approaching retirement and expect to be alive in 20 years time you should be very worried…especially if you do not own your own living accommodation, or will not have fit relatives to care for you.

The Parish of St Helier has a similar changing places facility waiting to be opened in the new Gas Place/Town Park but as always there are fears of vandalism.

It will be interesting to see how long before other Parishes undertake similar projects and how successful this facility is in practice and how often it is used.

The Jersey Building Regulations have already been amended following a proposition from Deputy Green so that certain larger “public” buildings (which can include buildings in private ownership) shall provide facilities to this standard.

In a community that shows no great enthusiasm for employing persons with “disabilities” at all, the likely provision of “changing places” must be very low.

We will try to do a follow-up visit with a user in a few months.

So there you have it – the true cost of being a severely disabled 

person exposed for all to see. Can YOU afford it?

Submitted by Tom Gruchy.

Stop The Rot

STOP THE ROT

Is a Jersey pressure group dedicated to protest against unfair social and economic policies. It has been formed by the people for the people and promises to exert pressure and publicity until changes are made to bring equality justice and quality of life to the most vulnerable in society.

Let us remind the politicians that they are only in office for as long as the people want them there.

Never have so many been made to suffer by so few

CHANGE CAN COME IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DEMAND IT

Issues to be tackled:

Social Security Benefits

Social Housing Rents

Housing Issues

Electoral Reform

Public Transport

Unemployment

Traffic Pollution

Primary Health Care

Reform of the Criminal Justice System

Role of the Judiciary

STOP THE ROT will use democratic means to make sure the people of Jersey are heard and listened to.

TOGETHER we must speak up and speak out

TOGETHER we can make a difference

TOGETHER we can STOP THE ROT

Contact 07700 337879 or 862929

Submitted by Tom Gruchy.

JEP-LUCY MASON-A BLOODY GOOD LAUGH

LUCY MASON

Whilst conducting my research I came across this latest article by Lucy (meddling) Mason. Now, I don't know if this is written as some tongue 'n' cheek piece, or meant to be serious, but I haven't laughed as much since her last article. 

There are some cracking lines in this piece and i'm not talking about the 100% columbian type either. I just had to share it with readers.

Team Voice 

LAST week, in the final official piece of business for the States Assembly in 2011, Members exchanged Christmas messages. In a long-standing tradition, one Senator, one Constable and one Deputy each gave a speech on behalf of their colleagues reminiscing about the past year, looking to the future and sending their best wishes to, well, pretty much everyone, including the ever-important tea ladies and even us, the media.

It was an inspiring moment, a happy occasion that gave you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside – and not just because it meant no more States sittings until 17 January.

So I thought it was only fair that I return the favour and come up with my own Christmas message for States Members and you, their voting public – even if it is only to show that I can be optimistic at times. So here goes …

Christmas is traditionally a time when we look back on the year that has passed, take stock of everything that has come and gone, and are thankful.

It has been a difficult year in many ways as Jersey, like the rest of the world, has struggled to weather the economic storms that have been thrust upon us. We have faced cutbacks, rising taxes, job losses and the highest unemployment figures ever recorded for this Island.

But these are all challenges that we have begun to tackle, in the most part, head-on, and this can only be a good thing.

And I have no doubt that with ever more challenges lurking on the horizon – the most timely being the threat to our fulfilment industry – we will continue in this manner. The new multi-million-pound drive to get people back to work is just one example of this.

I know we may not always believe it when our politicians tell us, but we are in many ways extremely lucky and in a very good position to ride out the many problems facing us. We also live in a beautiful, vibrant and interesting Island of which we should all be very proud.

As Senator Philip Ozouf keeps telling us, we have no debt, we have strong public finances and, as much as people (myself included) may complain about them, we have a group of pretty OK politicians to lead us.

Yes, they, like us all, make mistakes, but perhaps just this once we should put ourselves in their position. They work damn hard on our behalf and I doubt that many of us who openly criticise them the first chance we get could do their job.
OK, so maybe I’m being a bit harsh on myself and my colleagues there – we don’t set out to criticise.

And this is something that I don’t think many States Members get. We are taught as journalists that we are the eyes and ears of the public to whom we report, and it is a duty that I certainly take very seriously.
We want the public to know what is going on at the meetings which they can’t always attend, in the States Chamber when they are at work, and in countless other forums where decisions are taken, explained and reported.

But we also only have limited space in which to present this information.
So forgive us occasionally when, for example, we don’t report every speech that is given by every candidate for every position, or we don’t report a proposition word for word, for we also have a duty to keep our readers interested enough to keep themselves informed.

AND please do remember the good bits we write about as well as the bad. There is no malice in what we report, and no pre-planned agenda. And there is certainly no higher force controlling what I write within these pages.

Which brings me very nicely to the hope I have that next year, in keeping with the sentiment to have a reformed, more collaborative States Assembly, that the media and politicians can be a bit more understanding of one another.

Let’s work together; let’s keep people informed; and let’s all concentrate on doing our jobs to the best of our abilities like the professionals that we are.
Because, looking to the future as we also do at this time of year, there are exciting times ahead. We have a new Chief Minister, many new Members and ministers, and new and changing challenges to face.

We all should be optimistic, because with optimism comes a renewed sense of striving for the best, to be the best, to make the best decisions, and do the best for the wonderful place that we are lucky enough to call home. We are all in it together – let’s remember that.

All there is left to say are the thank-yous that traditionally accompany messages of this kind. In keeping with that tradition, I would like to thank the politicians who keep me in a job. Sure, you don’t get it right all the time and you may infuriate the hell out of a lot of people a lot of the time, but where would we be without you?

If we didn’t have you lot to complain about, be outraged about or, very occasionally, be quite impressed with, life would be so much more boring. We’d have nothing to tweet about, nothing to gossip about and the world would be a far poorer place.

So thank you, dear States Members, for keeping life interesting. Oh, and keeping our lovely little Island ticking because yes, sometimes you are rather good at it.
Thank you to the families of our esteemed politicians – how do you cope?
Thank you to the hundreds (and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds) of civil servants who do all the work behind the scenes, often without much public recognition.

Thank you to the States ushers, staff at the States Greffe, the Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff, the Attorney General and the Dean, all of whom keep us informed with what is going on and advise us and our politicians) for it isn’t just us who have to sit through hours of debate that sometimes goes on much longer than anyone would like).

Thank you to our readers for taking an interest, for commenting, emailing, calling and tweeting – everything we do, we do it for you.

And, finally, thank you to Manny, who makes me my tea. I couldn’t do it without you.

Happy Christmas to you all and my best wishes for the new and exciting year ahead.

Paul Le Claire Responds to the Census Findings

 

Former Deputy Paul Le Claire responds to the Census Findings. During his time in the States he has  challenged the findings of the States Statistic Unit in many a debate.

 Has Paul le Claire got his figures right?

Is the real figure at 100,000 plus?

This is a very serious situation for the Island. 

Team Voice 

Dear States Member , 

The total resident population of Jersey revealed in our latest Census, shows that on the 27 March 2011, Jersey had a resident 

population of 97,857. 

The previous estimate produced and published in June of 2010, by the States Statistics Unit for the end of 2009, was 92,500.

The new figures demonstrate that in just 15 short months we have seen an increase of 5357 more people in Jersey. 

The average number of births over deaths for the 5 year period 2005 to 2009 was +250.  The figure for 2010 was  + 270.

If births have continued at this higher number of 270 per year, we can say that the numbers of locally originating people

increase the estimated total resident population up from 92500 from Dec 2009 by a figure of 337 to a total of 92837

The number of new migrants in Jersey in those 15 months therefore is 5020. 

The annual average over the 5 year period 2005-2009 was 640 people into the island per year.

These much higher numbers have occurred in a period when the global recession was well underway. 

The alarming rate of increase in this short period of 15 months of 5020 new migrants is a cause for serious concern and action. 

If we have continued to increase our population at the same pace in these last 8 months, as we have since 2010, then we now 

have another 2677 more people living in Jersey today, that have migrated here.

With a further 8 months of births over deaths at that higher average, this adds a further 180.

This makes our current population at or around 100714.

My Information is derived from the States Statistics Department, who in the words of our last Chief MInister are

"independent, impartial and  professional."

It is my estimate therefore using their Statistics, that our current resident population is 100714. 

If we add a further 2052 people,  which were the numbers of short term visitors here in the end of March 

in this latest Census, then that gives us a total human being count, in Jersey today of, 102766. 

   

 

Paul Le Claire

An Open Invitation to Frank Walker.

Just when you thought that BBC Jersey couldn't be more obvious a "spin machine" for our ruling elite, they shock even the most un-shockable of us.

This morning they aired an hour long programme with former Chief Minister Frank Walker, first question is "why?" Why not wait until after the election when he couldn't, and BBC Jersey (State Media) couldn't be accused of trying to influence the outcome of the election?

Mr. Walker was able to trot out the old Party Line, as in, any States Member who asks questions in the States is a trouble maker. The States is falling into disrepute because of personality politics etc.

Rather than list everything that we believe was nothing more than a PR, or propaganda exercise, by Mr. Walker and the ever accommodating BBC, we would like to openly invite Mr. Walker to an interview with an "independent" media.

We, at Team Voice, believe we have demonstrated that (at best) the BBC, and all Jersey's State Media, are lazy, shoddy, inept and not fit for purpose.

Jersey's State Media is losing credibility by the day, and this morning's fiasco with the BBC and Mr. Walker only  further accelerated the loss of this fast dwindling credibility.

What a SHOCK COINCIDENCE, for those who listened to the programme, that of the very few rumours that were put to Mr. Walker, involving his personal and professional life that none of them were true! Does this mean ALL of the rumours about him are untrue, or just the carefully selected one's put to him by the BBC?

Regular readers/viewers will be aware that we (Team Voice) don't trade in rumour, gossip, innuendo or such like but pride ourselves in dealing with "facts and evidence."

So if Mr. Walker would like to gain some credibility and have some real questions put to him, rather than the fluffy, PR managed gumph from Jersey's discredited State Media, then what are you waiting for Frank? Have you got the courage to answer some uncomfortable, unscripted questions from an independent media?

Until you do your credibility will remain as low as that of the State Media's.

Senator Le Main - your retirement needs you.

Terry doing what he does best

The Great Senator Le Main

AKA - Captain Jersey 

Below is the video of Senator Le Main's  speech at the St Helier No 2 husting. 

This good old boy is trying to backdoor it back into the states as a deputy after realising he didn't have a chance in hell of getting re-elected as a Senator. He must also be hoping that there is a miracle out there with his name on it he really must.  Lets be honest here, he is a laughing stock, a man who has had his time. He should just  now bow out and enjoy his retirement. 

Terry along with one of his (or so he thinks) running partners have, in their election literature, tried to make big play of fellow candidates "illegally" assisting voters fill out a form to enable frail pensioners/disabled to request a postal vote....although that's not quite how they've put it in their literature.

One can see the thinking behind this as far as the Establishment are concerned. Terry has had his brushes with the law, he's been publicly accused of planning corruption and as far as we can make out is still under investigation for this. He was also asked to stand down as Housing Minister for possibly abusing his position by allegedly attempting to influence the outcome of a court case involving an "acquaintance" of his. There was something about signature fraud and Data Protection that he has been linked with in the past also. So if Terry has all this hanging over him, who told him it was a good idea to start bringing up "criminality" etc? Whether he is guilty, or not, of all this the Establishment know that sh-t sticks. If he was being well advised, he would have been told to keep away from the personality politics and certainly keep away from the criminality stuff.

It might be argued that's what he was advised but chose not to listen. That being the case then the Establishment would see him as a liability. The Establishment are nothing if not obedient and loyal

Enjoy his speech - we all did 

http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/2010/08/anonymous-senator-le-main.html

Rico Sorda

JERSEY MSM - IN THE GUTTER -1

Sir Philip

This is the email I received from Editor Chris Bright and  my reply. I think it speaks for itself. The total lack of any respect shown to the Abuse Survivors is beyond belief.

Rs 

From: Chris Bright  Sent: 23 September 2011 14:41 To: Corinne Wiseman Subject: Message for Rico Sorda   Dear Mr Sorda, It has been brought to my attention that you have come into possession of, and circulated, a private email sent by me to Miss **** ****. I have no idea, and no wish to spend time ascertaining, why you should have felt entitled to publish my private correspondence, but kindly refrain from  such discourteous behaviour in the future. Chris Bright, Editor. Dear Mr Bright   Thank you for your email.   I had best start at the beginning.  I was contacted by an abuse survivor who was disgusted by your crass reply to an email they had sent you.  Some very serious concerns were raised by this person regarding the biased reporting in respect of such issues as the historic child abuse enquiry (the "HCAE"), continued vilification of former Senator Stuart Syvret and the non-reporting of the serious issues surrounding the former investigating officer of the HCAE, Mick Gradwell, leaking information during a live investigation.   Having read your reply I was left in shock.  You could not have shown more disdain for this person if you had tried.  Your reply lacked compassion and understanding of what the victims of abuse have been through.  Could it be that the tone of your reply can be interpreted in itself as an explanation of the JEPs apparent stance on these issues being as you are its chief editor?  In an island which has only one newspaper, is it not right for the local populus to expect some fair and balanced reporting?  Considering the level of accountability that Rupert Murdoch, heading up a newspaper with a readership of only 40%, has had to face in respect of certain ethical matters, surely an individual heading up a newspaper with 100% market readsership should be prepared to be called to account for statements made in written correspondence to a member of the public.   With the forthcoming committee of enquiry into the HCAE, it is imperative that the role of the local mainstream media is considered.  They have done nothing but trash the HCAE and so with it the credibility of the abuse survivors themselves.  I find it hard to understand why the JEP, CTV and BBC Jersey have acted in this way rather than investigating the allegations made and reporting their findings in an impartial fashion.  Who now, other than certain politicians, will feel that they can turn to the media for help and support?  I feel that the JEP is fully aligned with the old feudal power of Jersey.  It does not surprise me that it has thrown its weight behind Sir Philip Bailhache in the forthcoming senatorial elections, but who could forget the Roger Holland affair, the Liberation Day 2008 speech and the Jarvis Dykes fiasco?   The JEP can no longer get away with its non-credible reporting as time and technology has caught up with it.   Please show the abuse survivors the common respect they deserve.   Kind regards    Rico Sorda