Money Box Live: Self-employment and disability

Source BBC:

There are a record 5m self-employed workers in the UK.They account for the 45 per cent of the growth in total employment since 2008. Analysis of the figures show that 16% of working disabled people identify as being their own boss, compared with 13% of the non-disabled population.  Read on and listen here.

Mouse model helps explain why some patients with multiple sclerosis have seizures

Source EurekAlert:

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects nearly 2.3 million people worldwide. MS is triggered when the immune system attacks the protective covering around nerve fibers, called the myelin sheath. The "demyelination" that follows damages nerve cells and causes impaired exchange of information between the brain and body as well as within the brain itself.  Read on.

New voice for disabled consumers

Source BBC:

Disabled people will get a fresh chance to make their concerns heard as consumers, thanks to a government initiative to be announced on Tuesday.

Eleven sector champions are being appointed to help make different areas of business more accountable to the disabled.  Read on.

HSCT could have long-term benefits

Source MS Society:

HSCT could have long-term benefits for some people with MS, according to the results of a large study that we co-funded.

After five years, progression had stopped in just under half of the 239 people eligible for the treatment.  Read on.

MS Society Campaign: Our Green Paper response: some people with MS can't work, don't put more pressure on them

Source MS Society:

We’re really concerned about changes to disability benefits proposed in the Government's Green Paper on work, health and disability. And we let them know in our detailed response.

We’re urging them to scrap plans to introduce ‘mandatory activity’ for people in the support group of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). These plans could force people, already assessed as too unwell to work, to prepare for work or risk facing cuts to their benefits.  Read on.

Berkshire Carers Hub

Are you, or is someone you know, providing much-needed care for a loved one?
Get free access to a range of support and services – right when you need it most.

Carers Trust provides timely, personalised information and support via the Reading & West Berkshire Carers Hub to make caring for a loved one easier.  Read on.

Unwanted Jewellery

If you have any unwanted jewellery please could you bring it to the Centre for our Link Group to sell at various stalls and our Summer Fair.  Thank you!