We are seeking to recruit two highly motivated Deaf or Disabled people to the following posts in our busy Advice & Advocacy Team: Caseworker (Welfare Benefits and Low Income) and Trainee Caseworker (Community Care and Personal Independence Payment) Closing date for applications: 11pm Tuesday 30 June 2020

We are writing to inform you that our Chief Executive Officer, Tom Lichy, left the organisation with effect from 1 May 2020. We hope you will join us in wishing Tom well for the future and we thank him for his service to the organisation. In light of Tom's departure, we have reviewed our management structure and are excited to announce a new co-managed structure, drawing on the strengths of our highly experienced senior management team to take the organisation forward in the next phase of our planned growth and development.

Our CIL Matters newsletter is out! If you are a member or supporter our newsletter should be in your inbox. This edition of CIL Matters includes: Service and Craftivism and Chat updates, Information on The Coronavirus Act & what it means for Disabled people, coronavirus support information, why we support a National Independent Living service, views from our members/supporters and lots more!

Merton CIL believes that the Coronavirus Bill presents a threat to the health and wellbeing of Disabled people at this difficult time, and in the most serious circumstances could threaten people's lives.

Following government advice around coronavirus, we have had to make some temporary changes to how we operate. However, we are still open and supporting local Deaf and Disabled people. Our team will be working remotely until further notice. Our telephone line is monitored daily and you can also email and visit our website or social media platforms for general information and advice. We are operating a reduced service but our advice and advocacy service is open to new benefits, community care and hate crime cases. Please get in touch to arrange an appointment. We have temporarily changed the way that we conduct appointments. We will provide advice over the telephone, via email, in a letter or via video calling platform such as Zoom or Skype. We will not provide any face to face advice in order to protect our service users and staff. We are doing all that we can to ensure that we adapt and continue to provide a supportive and accessible service for Deaf and Disabled people in Merton. Unfortunately, our Craftivism and Chat groups have been cancelled until further notice. We will keep you updated on when we expect that it will return. My Voice Matters 2020 was scheduled to take place on 25th June 2020. Unfortunately, this event will be postponed until late October 2020

If you or a loved one is Disabled, you may be wondering what coronavirus means for you/them. There are increasing cases of coronavirus in the UK. Some Disabled people may be at higher risk of coronavirus. We have some tips to avoid catching or spreading germs

At our Craftivism and Chat group that was held on 6th March 2020, Disabled people responded to the Improving Healthcare Together 2020 - 2030 consultation. In September 2019, NHS Surrey Downs, Sutton and Merton CCGs were allocated £500 million to improve the current buildings at Epsom and St Helier hospitals as well as build a new specialist emergency care hospital on one of the three sites – Epsom, St Helier or Sutton. Their preferred option is Sutton Hospital. We asked our members to respond to the consultation on the proposed changes to our local NHS services, so that Disabled voices are heard.

Merton CIL hopes to raise over £1,000 to continue their Craftivism and Chat project that aims to reduce isolation and loneliness in local Deaf and Disabled people over the next two years.

We will close for Christmas on Tuesday 24th Dec 2019 at 3pm. We will reopen on Thursday 2nd Jan 2020 from 9am.

We want all Deaf and Disabled People to have their say and sign up to vote. We have written a short guide on how to register to vote and the voting process.